After Hitler came to power in January 1933, he began to impose heavy pressure on Jews and dissidents. One of those who experienced this pressure was Professor Albert Einstein.
Albert Einstein could not stand the Nazi pressure, which made his life and career difficult, and moved to Paris. However, the Jewish professors in Germany were still not safe. These valuable and experienced people were looking for a safe country to take shelter in. For this very reason, a letter signed by Albert Einstein was sent to the Prime Ministry of the Turkish Republic on September 17, 1933.
His Excellency;
As the honorary president of the World Union of OSE Societies, I request your Excellency to appeal to you to allow 40 professors and doctors from Germany to continue their scientific and medical studies in Türkiye. The people in question cannot practice their profession due to the laws in force in Germany. These people, most of whom have extensive experience, knowledge and scientific merit, can prove to be extremely useful if they live in a new country. These 40 people, experienced experts and distinguished academicians, to whom we have asked Your Excellency to grant permission to settle in your country and continue their studies, were selected from among the many applications made to our association. These scientists wish to work in any of your institutions, in accordance with the instructions of your government, for a period of one year, without expecting any remuneration. In support of this application, I take the liberty to express my hope that if your government accepts the request, you will not only be performing a high level of humanitarian action, but it will also bring profit to your country.
Honored to be His Excellency's faithful servant,
Prof. Albert Einstein
The Prime Minister of the time, İsmet İnönü, read this letter and sent the letter to the Minister of National Education, Reşit Galip Bey, who was serving at that time. But the result was negative. And İsmet İnönü sent the following reply letter to Einstein:
“Dear Professor,
I received your letter dated September 17, 1933, requesting the admission to Türkiye of forty professors and physicians who could no longer carry out their scientific and medical studies in Germany due to the laws governing Germany.
I also noted that these gentlemen would agree to work unpaid in our institutions for a year under the orders of our government.
Although I accept that your offer is very attractive, I have to say that I do not see the possibility of reconciling it with the laws and regulations of our country.
Dear Professor, as you know, we have employed more than forty professors and physicians under contract. Most of them are in the same political conditions as the professors and doctors who are the subject of your letter, and have the same qualifications and capacities as them. These professors and physicians agreed to work for us in accordance with the currently valid laws and regulations.
We are currently trying to build an organism that is a sensitive mechanism and includes members who are very different in terms of origin, culture and language. For this reason, unfortunately, it will not be possible for us to employ more personnel than these gentlemen under the current conditions.
Dear Professor, I express my regret for not being able to satisfy your request, and I ask you to have faith in my deepest feelings.
(Source: Rıfat Bali, WHO INVITED EINSTEIN TO TÜRKIYE?)
Kaynak: Başbakanlık Cumhuriyet arşivi, ref: 030.10.116.810.3
