Abstract
In February 1912 Arthur Hantke, a member of the Engeres Aktions- Comite (EAC or SAC), asked Chaim Weizmann to undertake a propaganda tour in the United States.1 Weizmann refused, but did agree to a shorter tour to European cities during the university semester break in March. In explaining his reasons for traveling only to Berlin, Vienna, Prague, and Heidelberg,2 Weizmann revealed some of his plans for the future: As you know, I want to go to Palestine in 3–4 years. But I want to go to Palestine not when I have nothing to lose here, but on the contrary after having achieved everything here. This “everything” consists of two things: a full professorship and admission to the Royal Society. The former has been achieved except for the official announcement, which will presumably come during the summer term [sic]. The second is somewhat more difficult for a Russian Jew. However, the matter has got to the point where my candidature has been established. How long the candidature will “stand” depends on the scope and character of my scientific work, for in my case this is the only decisive criterion. I must therefore strain every nerve to work and publish a great deal, for admission to the Royal Society will open all doors for me here. I shall then be worth ten times as much to you….