[ Autographs ] ALBERT SCHWEITZER (1875 - 1964) French physician, theologian and humanitarian; winner of the 1952 Nobel Peace Prize. Anoutstanding archive of material from Schweitzer's later years, with incredible political content. Includes: 19 A.L.S. "Albert Schweitzer" 33pp. 4to., Lambarene, dated from 1959 to 1964, to Norman Cousins, Schweitzer's friend and the Editor of the Saturday Review. Written in both German and French, these letters have rich political content regarding the Geneva Convention, atomic energy, and the Cuban missile crisis. In very small part: "....I don't believe that the United States will tolerate Germany having an atomic bomb. I don't understandwhat happened in Russia...The East Germans are not so eager to submit themselves to the West German government. The Chinese behave better than we expected after the explosion of their atomic bomb. I believe they are striving for peace...Certainly, [the United States] needs a moral mobilization. But I think that only a worldwide hunger strike would be able to produce a moral mobilization!...To sabotage a movement of this kind by argument, only can control if the people are really held to their word of depriving themselves of food. A hunger strike isn't a light thing which can just cause upset to the world. Upsetting are the processions of the Lord Bertrand Russell...We have to rise up against the heads of state who play with the idea of using atomic weapons...to speak of an atomic war in regard to the problem ofBerlin...The question of Berlin is at heart very simple. It turns, at bottom, on formalities. The Allies until now are obliged to notify theRussians of the question regarding the march of their troops on the terrain of the East Germany subsequently situated as Berlin...After the declaration that East Germany is free, the Allies no longer like to deal with these questions of formality with the Soviets, but with the East German authorities. America does not want a treaty with this small country. To her it seems incompatible with her honor. In my opinion she should make a treaty with the East German authorities. It would be the simplest...I am not insisting, compared with Kruschev, onthe resumption of the [nuclear] tests and I did not condemn him publicly (although in my heart I absolutely condemn him). I cannot askKennedy by telegram to not resume the tests...My role is to make an appeal for clarity of public opinion for all countries in the situation...The Soviets after having to attend the Conference on the cessation of nuclear testing in Geneva contemplating resuming, judgingthat their nuclear arms aren't there...In America, the military is making an effort to calm public opinion in uselessly repeating that the Soviets are more advanced in the construction of satellites, but the American nuclear arms are really superior to those of the Soviets in a number of ways...In the USA, it has been decided to use atomic weapons for the question of Cuba and Berlin. This is a new and seriousthing! I would not have believed that the government would make that decision. And I am of the opinion that we must not accept this decision without protest. To encourage a debate, I believe that it will be useful if I write an open letter to [Secretary of Defense Robert] McNamara of the USA government and make him aware that in a conflict on the subject of Cuba...and Berlin he would be able to use all weapons, and this means atomic weapons also. This attack would be better than an article...I will send you the open, very respectable, letter, in which I make him understand the gravity of this governmental decision of which he is in charge...and the terrible responsibility with which he will be charged vis a vis humanity...Can you find an American journal to publish such a letter? ...". Schweitzer's T.L.S. draft to McNamara, with holograph emendations, is included, as is a signed English copy. In very small part: "....I learned from the newspaper, that the Government of the United States gives you, in your function of Secretary of Defense, the permission toundertake, in the question of Cuba as well as that of Berlin, everything you consider necessary. You are also allowed to decide for a war...A war, fought with atomic weapons, is something so horrible, that not even military people and the scientists...can have a full notion of it...With such a war no territory, no fortress can be conquered, no territory, no fortress defended. The only possibility ismutual, senseless, unlimited destruction...Politics of strength in ourtimes are not the right ones..". There are many more pages of great political content, including the draft of a letter to President DwightD. Eisenhower from Jan. 8, 1957, thanking him for his "friendly lines"on his 82nd birthday and adding: "I am very appreciative of the sympathy that you express. I carry in my heart the desire to contribute to the bringing about of peace which is also your desire. We have...the conviction that humanity is going to its ruin if it is not able to decide to abandon the arms which already the test in the time of peace have proved deadly...". Finally, our fine archive includes a 5pp. typed manuscript titled, by Schweitzer's secretary, "The United Nations have no right to force Katanga to pay the Congo anannual tribute" containing excellent political commentary on the Congolese Republic where Schweitzer's mission hospital was located. Additionally, there are two handsome signed photographs of Schweitzer and several letters written by his secretary on his behalf. A remarkable collection, most deserving of full translation and research in overall very good condition. A of this century's great minds.