Seven months prior to the first time use of nuclear weapons in a military attack on a civilian population, Einstein prophesies that a surprise attack [through use of nuclear weapons] would decide the fate of the war. In addition, Einstein warns that without the establishment of an international authority, the next world war is ready to erupt. Princeton, January 18 1945 .
Specifications: [1] leaf, typewritten on his letterhead, signed by Prof. Einstein. 28×21 cm. German.
Content: In his response to Dr. Held, Einstein foresees the future face of military battle and the use of atomic weaponary in order to bring an end to the Second World War. This letter was written about seven months before the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on the 6th and 9th of August, 1945. At the start of the letter, Einstein strongly replies to Dr. Held – who apparently opposed the establishment of an international authority – that it is forbidden to stop midway, and if this type of organization is not established then the next world war will definitely erupt.
Condition : Very fine condition, fold marks.
Dr. I. W. Held January 18, 1945
2 East 95th St.
New York City
Dear Dr. Held,
Thank you very much for the booklet which, by the way, I had already read a few weeks ago. I don’t think it is bad, but under the present circumstances it missed the point psychologically. Because, if also under the present circumstances the prospect of the creation of an efficient supranational authority is very low, it seems to me an evil thing to work journalistically to bring this endeavor to a standstill. Because if you stop half way, you will already today be assured of the next world war. This is all the more the case, as the modern technological development brings about more and more the pre-emptive war, where the surprise attack is extraordinarily superior to the defense.
With best regards,
A. Einstein
