Typed letter signed.
4to. 2 pp.
€ 3,800.00
In English, to Dr. Frank Kingdon, President of the University of Newark, on his imprinted stationery: "This is to tell you how happy I am that you accepted the chairmanship of the American Committee for Moral Aid to the other Germany. The idea of contacting the German people directly with the help of such writers, artists, scientists, men of the church who were loved and trusted in pre-Hitler-Germany without ever having been political figures and without having therefore lost part of their prestige, as did all former party leaders, appealed to me from the very beginning. Let me tell you, however, that your acceptance, the certainty of your active participation is giving me a great deal of hope as for the success of our efforts. Letters of invitation to join our German Committee (of which I may serve as something like a Chairman, while my daughter Frik will be its Secretary) are being sent to the following friends and colleagues: Wilhelm Dieterle, Bruno Frank, Professor James Frank, Leonhardt Frank, Lotte Lehmann, Heinrich Mann, Dr. Hermann Rauschning, Ludwig Renn, Professor Max Reinhardt, Renen Schieckele, Professor Erwin Schrödinger, Professor Paul Tillich, Fritz von Unruh, Franz Wefel, Stefan Zweig. As for the American Committee I should wish to leave all decisions to your own judgement [sic]. I would, however, be very glad to discuss details with you as soon as possible. Could you arrange to come here in the near future? Realizing how busy you are I would, of course, be willing to meet you in New York, if this should be more convenient for you. Since, very much to my deep satisfaction, Mr. Paul Willert, President of Oxford University Press has agreed to be the American Committee s treasurer, it might be useful to invite him also to the meeting. All the more so, since, unfortunately, the financial question will be somehow in the foreground of our discussion. On the other hand, there can be no doubt that our chances to really accomplish important effects by what we are trying to do, are much greater than the financial risk involved. Erika is translating this letter for me and although I have full confidence in her ability of making herself understood, I beg your pardon, in case these lines are lacking some qualities of style and language. They are supposed to convey nothing more but my gratitude for your acceptance and my hopes to see you soon".
