"Albert Einstein. The world as I see it (англ.)" - читать интересную книгу автора

be brought about in this respect by a free association of people
whose work and achievements up to date constitute a guarantee
of their ability and purity of aim? This international association,
whose members would need to keep in touch with each other by
a constant interchange of opinions, might, by defining its attitude
in the Press-responsibility always resting with the signatories on
any given occasion-acquire a considerable and salutary moral
influence over the settlement of political questions. Such an
association would, of course, be a prey to all the ills which so
often lead to degeneration in learned societies, dangers which
are inseparably bound up with the imperfection of human nature.
But should not an effort in this direction be risked in spite of this?
I look upon the attempt as nothing less than an imperative duty.

If an intellectual association of standing, such as I have
described, could be formed, it would no doubt have to try to
mobilize the religious organizations for the fight against war. It
would give countenance to many whose good intentions are
paralysed to-day by a melancholy resignation. Finally, I believe
that an association formed of persons such as I have described,
each highly esteemed in his own line, would be just the thing to
give valuable moral support to those elements in the League of
Nations which are really working for the great object for which
that institution exists.

I had rather put these proposals to you than to anyone else in the
world, because you are least of all men the dupe of your desires
and because your critical judgment is supported by a most
earnest sense of responsibility.


Compulsory Service

>From a letter

Instead of permission being given to Germany to introduce compulsory
service it ought to be taken away from everybody else: in future none but
mercenary armies should be permitted, the size and equipment of which should
be discussed at Geneva. This would be better for France than to have to
permit compulsory service in Germany. The fatal psychological effect of the
military education of the people and the violation of the individual's
rights which it involves would thus be avoided.

Moreover, it would be much easier for two countries which had agreed to
compulsory arbitration for the settlement of all disputes arising out of
their mutual relations to combine their military establishments of
mercenaries into a single organization with a mixed staff. This would mean a
financial relief and increased security for both of them. Such a process of
amalgamation might extend to larger and larger combinations, and finally
lead to an "international police," which would be bound gradually to