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Vienna, June 18, 1925
IX., Berggasse 191
Dear friend!
It is no news to us that there is a strong movement in England against Jones, and we don't deceive ourselves about the fact that his attitude is far from flawless. But for that reason we must refrain from mixing in with his circle and being all too willing to become partisan against him. Jones is making ample use of the general human right to have flaws, but we know his value too well not to be indulgent toward them. I don't know how I should use my influence there. If I tried, it would probably only have the result of clouding our relations for a long time. In the case of Inman, I can't quite see what one can reproach Jones with. If the Association requires from him that he should introduce himself with a lecture, and in the process appeals to what has been practice for the last two years, then that seems to me to be a faultless procedure. For Inman's part, however, the questions about whether one will accept him after the lecture and whether one will reelect him next year are superfluous sensitivities. He must have the security that he has something or other to offer, he should consider himself protected by your recommendation; and, finally, every candidate for acceptance must risk something, he can't demand any eternally valid guarantees in advance. So the right way seems to me to be to get ahold of him, and not Jones.
If there are really so many persons in England who are only being kept away from the International Association through Jones's personality, then the best means of information would be for them to decide to form a second group. Of course, we ought not to advise that. They have to get to that themselves. It would surely be permitted them without difficulty by the Central Office, provided only that they resolved not to be in competition with the other group, but to work together with it, especially in consideration of the Press. But I repeat, the stimulus for that should not come from us.
Incidentally,