L.12. Dec. 21.st. 1920

Answer to Wien 102, Budap. 93, Berl. 114.

Dear Friends:

We are all good Jews5, but that is no reason why we should not congratu- late one another on the return of the young Sun-God’s strength, so I send you all my best Xmas wishes with hopes for a fruitful and satisfactory New Year.

I strongly support Abraham‘s proposal for replacing the week by a deca- de, but propose that we adhere strictly to this reckoning and not to the calendar one he suggests, which would be impracticable at the end of February and awkward otherwise.

Berlin. I was sorry to hear, my dear Abraham, that the inquiry as to your health which I sent in a private letter was truly founded, but hope to hear better news when you answer my letter. What are your chances for holi- day?

Many thanks for your remarks about Dr Herford, whom I shall certainly invite as guest. Would you consider her fit for membership? Please send me further impressions about the Clinic after you have got to know the next visitors. By the way, my knowledge of it is not so casually gleaned as Dr Herford suggests, but is based partly on full accounts given by four members of our Society who each worked there for years.

Ferenczi. The American Relief Mission informed me that they have no longer any American dollars in Hungary, and so are paying my cheque in Kronen; I hope that will be all right for you.

Wien. Bryan‘s translation of Kolnai is useless; I do not know how much Fr. Dr Abraham has done. I am not in favour of translating it for the Lib- rary while we have so many good psa. books waiting to print. By the way, I have never heard why the printing of Putnam’s book6 ceased sud- denly five months ago.

I see I am destined to occupy myself once more with Jung, the thought of which bores me intensely. It means perhaps a year’s work, as I only get about an hour a month free for writing.

About the Congress, etc., we have the opinion of everyone except Fe- renczi (assuming that Rank‘s opinion is included in the Vienna letter, which reads very much like Professor!). The Congress is the prior que- stion to decide, and for my part I have an open mind about it. There are perfectly valid arguments on both sides, and it seems that there is a conflict of interests between the committee on one side and the Associa- tion on the other. It is clear, as even Abraham must admit, that a Cong- ress means a using up of energy on the part of himself, Professor, and myself, energy which could be otherwise used. It is also certain that a Committee-Sitzung held in peace during the summer holidays would be much more productive than one held at any time in the same year as the Congress, and it is very much a question if the interchange of views bet- ween us would not be greater value to psa than any Congress, especially as the former7 is such a rare event. That Professor should be able to work in the most favourable circumstances, for instance, is worth more than that of the whole Association. On the other hand, I am afraid there is no doubt that the members would prefer a Congress this year. This especial- ly applies to Germany, where they have been patient and have deserved so much. If Abraham had only said that there might be an advantage in waiting another year to consolidate the Policlinic and absorb the new members of whom he speaks, our task in deciding would be easier. I do not think there would be impatience among the other members of the As- sociation, so that the feeling in Berlin is the only strong reason for hol- ding a Congress this year. As you see, I am open to persuasion on either side, but I incline rather to postponing the Congress in favour of what we have never tasted the pleasure of, a scientific committee-meeting in sui- table circumstances.

I am not in favour of the latter meeting in Spring, partly for the ego- centric reason that it is very doubtful if I could make the sacrifice, for financial and domestic reasons, and partly because I am sure it could not be so productive as one in the summer, when we are rested, are still in a holiday mood, not pressed for time and with our thoughts still full of bu- siness affairs; also the external circumstances could not be so good (weather, site, etc).

There is some objection against holding either a meeting, or still more a Congress, at the extreme end of September. In England, and I believe in Holland and Switzerland, there is no great heat, so work always begins at the first of Sept., so to wait till of the middle of Sept. is already a sacrifi- ce, and one also needs a few days’ rest before resuming work.

In conclusion I would beg Abraham to re-consider the situation sympa- thetically from the other side, and then to tell us in what respects the dif- ference between 1921 and 1922 is important to the Berlin group. Shall I get Flügel to send the circular questions to all the societies, including America, or would such a democratic proceeding horrify Ferenczi too much?

With cordial greetings to all

Ernest Jones