Box 1

1 col., mounted. Professor Einstein is gay as he starts trip; jokes about questions at American Consulate.

Telegram to editor of Nation asking his help in correcting or counteracting the statements made by Walter L. Lippmann and others.

Was shocked to read of the scandalous attack on Messersmith and was sure that it was all wrong; was glad that subsequent news confirmed his convictions.

2 cols., mounted. Clipping from Time Magazine reports that Einstein was questioned on his political beliefs because of the complaint of the Woman Patriot Corporation; after his return from the U.S. Consulate, Einstein was quoted as saying he would cancel his American visit if the visa was not issued in 24 hours; it was issued.

1 col. Removed to SPEC MSS oversize boxes. Condemns Walter Lippmann for his sarcasm; praises Messersmith; wonders why Lippmann "lambasted" him for doing his duty; believes regulations should be impartially applied.

Congratulates Messersmith on outcome of Einstein case; the incident was an example of the harm that can be done by newspapers and their correspondents; comments on the vagueness of some of the State Department instructions. [First name only].

Extract from report of the press conference of the Secretary of State in regard to Einstein incident.

Expresses indignation over the Einstein affair; Lippmann's comment was absurd and uncalled for; thinks Einstein intent upon exploiting the American pocketbook; feels that Messersmith will be the gainer from the incident.

Expresses his regret over the Einstein affair and say he doesn't believe a word of it.

Dispatch to the Secretary of State, giving full particulars of the Einstein visa case and how it was handled at the Consulate; thanks Stimson for his generous statements to the press.

Expresses sympathy on account of criticism in connection with the Einstein visa; assures Messersmith that his friends know that whatever he did it was in the discharge of his duty and that he would never be discourteous.

Telegram. Has communicated with Lippmann and is writing favorably in Nation.

Assures Messersmith he need have no concern over the Einstein incident, that it "only served to emphasize his fine services for the U.S."

Expresses resentment over the unfair news article respecting the Einstein case; is happy that he has been so well defended and completely exonerated.

Thanks Moffitt for his expressions of friendship and explains that during his absence at Breslau Einstein had applied for a visa to the U.S. and that the matter had been handled by [Raymond] Geist; is sure that it was done with discretion.

Lacks enclosure. Informs that Lippmann has withdrawn his criticism and encloses clipping.

1 col. Messersmith is vindicated by Stimson in incident over Einstein's visa.

1 col. Stimson's cable to Messersmith in which he tells of his press conference is quoted; it completely clears Messersmith and the Consulate of any indiscretion.

4 cols., mounted. Walter Lippmann quotes telegram from Secretary of State and withdraws criticism of Messersmith, but says someone is responsible for provoking the Einstein incident; Secretary of State Stimson makes public a cablegram received from three American organizations in Berlin; Messersmith is praised as a distinguished, non-bureaucratic official.

note congratulating Messersmith on outcome of the Einstein affair.

Expresses appreciation for the clipping from The Manchester Guardian; if all newspapers had been as careful much misunderstanding would have been avoided.

Acknowledges Dreyfus' letter; believes that if his many generous friends had not come so promptly to his defense his career might have been ruined; explains what really happened with regard to the Einstein visa; thinks the affair may have some good effects if it teaches newspapermen to be more careful in ascertaining facts.

Thanks Erhardt for his note; believes career might have been ruined except for support of friends; comments on Nicholas Murray Butler's statement that his "heart wept for his country at the spectacle of what happened at the Consulate General at Berlin"; the Einsteins conducted their application for a visa with the press before applying at the Consulate; thinks they were afraid to appear in person because of Einstein's known connection with radical organizations.

Is grateful for the many expressions of friendship; explains background of Einstein incident; Einstein was very nervous and feared that he might be refused a visa because of his known leftist activities; realizes that he came out of the affair without damage because of friends in high places who came to his support.

Thanks Mayer for letter; friends are ones dearest possessions; assures Mayer that the Einsteins were shown every consideration but their attitude while at the Consulate made it very difficult; believes Mrs. Einstein a publicity seeker and responsible for most of the trouble.