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Burlington Atomic Energy Week, 1947

1947-10-23 Message from Albert Einstein to the Atomic Energy Week Committee of Burlington

MESSAGE OF PROFESSOR ALBERT EINSTEIN TO THE ATOMIC ENERGY COMMITTEE OF BURLINGTON, IOWA

Dear Friends:
I thank your Committee in the name of the Emergency Committee of Atomic Scientists for this opportunity to acquaint the citizens of Burlington with out efforts. These efforts have their origin in a feeling the heavy responsibility which physicists have taken upon themselves by the creation of the atom bomb.

You all know that the development of this frightful means of destruction was urgently demanded by the perils of the wartime situation. The peril of the moment was removed by the success of this enterprise; simultaneously, however -- by this very success -- a new perilous situation has been created whose shadow is upon us all continually.

The novelty of this situation lies in the face that it can no longer be successfully cope with through national armaments. One can well threaten others through armament, yet one cannot defend oneself effectively. Effective defence can be achieved only by the removal of the present anarchy in the international affairs and by reliable supranational security against military aggression.

To achieve this is the task of responsible statesmen; on its success depends the fate of this and future generations, not only here, but in all other countries.

Yet what can the handful of intellectual workers do, so that this goal may be achieved? I may say without exaggeration that we have already started with some success on what is for us the only hopeful way. The intellectual workers cannot successfully intervene directly in the political struggle. They can achieve, however, the spreading of clear ideas about the situation and the possibilities of successful action. They can contribute through enlightenment to prevent able statesmen from being hampered in their work by antiquated opinions and prejudices. It is for this campaign of enlightenment that the Emergency Committee of Atomic Scientists was formed. 

I appeal to you for your support in this work we have undertaken, and wish you every success in your efforts.

Faithfully yours,

[actual signature]
A. Einstein

Princeton, New Jersey
October 23, 1947

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MESSAGE OF PROFESSOR ALBERT EINSTEIN TO THE ATOMIC ENERGY COMMITTEE OF BURLINGTON, IOWA Dear Friends: I thank your Committee in the name of the Emergency Committee of Atomic Scientists for this opportunity to acquaint the citizens of Burlington with out efforts. These efforts have their origin in a feeling the heavy responsibility which physicists have taken upon themselves by the creation of the atom bomb. You all know that the development of this frightful means of destruction was urgently demanded by the perils of the wartime situation. The peril of the moment was removed by the success of this enterprise; simultaneously, however -- by this very success -- a new perilous situation has been created whose shadow is upon us all continually. The novelty of this situation lies in the face that it can no longer be successfully cope with through national armaments. One can well threaten others through armament, yet one cannot defend oneself effectively. Effective defence can be achieved only by the removal of the present anarchy in the international affairs and by reliable supranational security against military aggression. To achieve this is the task of responsible statesmen; on its success depends the fate of this and future generations, not only here, but in all other countries. Yet what can the handful of intellectual workers do, so that this goal may be achieved? I may say without exaggeration that we have already started with some success on what is for us the only hopeful way. The intellectual workers cannot successfully intervene directly in the political struggle. They can achieve, however, the spreading of clear ideas about the situation and the possibilities of successful action. They can contribute through enlightenment to prevent able statesmen from being hampered in their work by antiquated opinions and prejudices. It is for this campaign of enlightenment that the Emergency Committee of Atomic Scientists was formed. I appeal to you for your support in this work we have undertaken, and wish you every success in your efforts. Faithfully yours, [actual signature] A. Einstein Princeton, New Jersey October 23, 1947