During World War I, German cultural circles issued the Declaration of Civilized World to defend German aggression and atrocities, and 93 famous scientists, artists and priests signed the Declaration. To this end, Einstein and Russian C.F. Nikolai drafted a tit-for-tat anti-war peace declaration "Letter to Europeans" in June 19 14+00. One of the four people who signed the letter to the Europeans also signed the Declaration of the Civilized World. He was feaster, director of the Berlin Observatory, who was over 80 years old at that time. Feaster regretted his signature very much, so he later signed a book for Europeans, hoping to save the consequences of his signature on the declaration of war on civilization.

At that time, due to too few signatories, the book "To Europeans" was not officially published. It was not until Nikolai published his book "The Biology of War" in 19 16 that this declaration was attached.

I checked the complete works of Einstein, the collected works of Albert Einstein, Volume VI: Berlin Years: Writing,1914-1917.

These include:

8. Declaration to Europeans (with G.F. Nikolai and 69 F.W.F.? Rster),1mid-October 19 14

"Long live Europa? Uh "

Does this mean that there are other people's names, G.F. Nikolai and F.W.F.? Rster, according to various data, there are four people. It seems that the fourth person is really difficult to verify. Nicholas's full name is George Friedrich Ferdinand Prinz von Preu?en Nicholas.

Have you searched in Europe? Uh, found:

Oktoberfest in Munich. rster (F？ The first war on the 93rd list); Otto Booker also took part in the war.

I can't read German, but from the style and pronunciation, I guess only Nicolai and F? Rster, two people. I even suspected that it might be three people, and later it became four people, hehe.

The English text of the declaration is as follows

10 month 19 14

Although technology and transportation obviously push us towards the de facto recognition of international relations and a common world civilization, it is equally true that no war has interrupted the cultural communitarianism of cooperative work so strongly as this one. Perhaps the reason why we have such a remarkable consciousness is only because of countless common ties in the past, and now we feel their interruption so painfully.

Even if this state of affairs should not surprise us, those who are least concerned about the common world civilization will have a double obligation to fight for these principles. However, those people who should expect this belief-mainly scientists and artists-have so far made almost only statements, indicating that their desire to maintain these relationships disappeared with the interruption of the relationship. They spoke with an explainable fighting spirit-but at least they talked about peace.

This kind of emotion cannot be forgiven by any national passion; It is not worth everything that the world has understood so far in the name of culture. It would be a disaster if this kind of emotion reaches a certain universality among educated people.

This is not only a disaster of civilization, but also-we firmly believe this-a disaster of the survival of nations in various countries-which ultimately leads to all these barbaric acts.

Through technology, the world has become smaller; Today, the countries on most European islands look as close to each other as the cities on the ancient Mediterranean islands. In everyone's needs and experiences, based on his understanding of various relationships, Europe-almost the world-has portrayed itself as a unified element.

Therefore, well-educated and well-intentioned Europeans have the responsibility to at least try to prevent Europe-because it has defects as a whole-from suffering the same tragic fate as ancient Greece. Should Europe gradually exhaust itself and perish in the fratricidal war?

Today's fierce struggle may not produce winners; It may only leave the conquered. Therefore, it is not only good but also necessary for educated people in all countries to concentrate their influence so that the conditions for peace will not become the source of future wars-no matter how the outcome of this war is still uncertain. It is an obvious fact that all European relations have fallen into an unstable and plastic state through this war, and this fact should be used to create an organic European whole. The technical and intellectual conditions in this respect exist.

There is no need to discuss how this (new) order in Europe was realized here. We just want to fundamentally emphasize that we firmly believe that it is time for Europe to unite and protect its land, its residents and its culture.

To this end, it seems necessary to bring together all those who have a place in European culture and civilization, in other words, those who can use Goethe's prescient words "good Europeans". After all, we must not give up the hope that their collective voice will not be heard even under the noise of weapons, especially if we find all those who enjoy respect and authority among educated peers among these "good Europeans of tomorrow".

However, Europeans must first come together. If-as we hope-enough Europeans can be found in Europe, that is to say, for those Europeans, Europe is not just a geographical concept, but a spiritual intimacy, then we will try to convene such an alliance of Europeans. Therefore, such an alliance will speak and decide.

To this end, we just want to urge and appeal; If you feel the same way as we do, and if you are determined to resonate with the will of Europe as far as possible, then we ask you to send us your signature.