ESPERANTO LANGUAGE. uEsper anto,)) successor to uVolapule in the effort to establish an international language, has made considerable progress. The latest reports show that a substantial and lasting interest in this linguistic enterprise now exists. In 1887 Dr. Zamenhof, a Russian physician, issued his first pamphlet concerning a suggested new interna tional language, to be called °Esperanto' Only small progress was made during the first 10 years of the movement. The idea first took root in the originator's native country. Rus sian educators and other men of culture looked upon the innovation with favor. After the lapse of a decade, a start was made to intro duce the Zamenhof idea among the Norwe gians and Swedes. They, too, showed a friendly attitude. Then France manifested great interest, and almost immediately became prominent as a stronghold of Esperantism. From France the movement extended to Ger many, thence to Austria, Switzerland, Italy and England. In the latter country 30 societies of Esperantists were organized within a year of the system's introduction. During the past years, active missionary work has been under taken in the United States looking toward the promulgation of the Zamenhof plan for use in commercial, educational and other fields. is little doubt as to the success of the outcome, indorsed as it is by some of the greatest philol ogists in Germany, Austria, England, France, Russia and the United States. Advocator of an international language have in the past in cluded numerous philosophers and scientists, in cluding Roger Bacon, Descartes, Pascal, Leib nitz, Locke, Condillac, Voltaire, Diderot, and, more recently, Tolstoi, who unqualifiedly sup ported the Esperanto movement and learned its grammar rules in an hour. Only of late years have the linguistic theories of these fa mous thinkers been molded into anything like practical shape.
Occasions Calling for the Use of an Inter national One of the principal reasons for renewal of interest in the direction of one universal language is the necessity for producing a vehicle of common expression among delegates representing various countries at congresses and on similar occasions. It has been found difficult for individuals, acting for their respective nations, to keep in touch with the proceedings from day to day. The ex
tended use of Esperanto and the widespread appreciation manifested in its development indi cates that the method of Dr. Zamenhof offers a feasible solution of what has, hitherto, been an unsolved problem. In addition to the advan tages of having a common language for cos mopolitan assemblages, the transaction of voluminous mercantile affairs between nations and merchants of various nations, requires some such system to facilitate the making of purchases and adjusttnent of mercantile accounts. For educational purposes, as in other ways, the availability of a means whereby educators can compare systems and processes without en countering the difficulties connected with proper and complete translation is very evident.
Present Uses of the Esperanto Language.
— From a recently published review it is learned that among the books in the Esperanto language, are translations from every 'mown national tongue in common use, and many orig inal novels. The number of periodicals, includ ing national propaganda journals, scientific and official organs of various international socie ties, such as the Good Templars, the Free Masons, the Roman, Catholics, Peace Associa tions, etc., printed in the international language, before the outbrealc of the European War ex ceeded 200. Since August 1914 many of the magazines in the smaller countries— notably, Belgium, Poland, Bulgaria? Roumania, etc.— have been forced temporarily to suspend pub lication, although the official organs are still ap pearing regularly in England, France, Russia, Germany, Holland, Norway, Sweden, Italy, Spain, United States and several of the South Amencan countries. On the continent of Eu rope and in the United States representative daily and weekly newspapers regularly publish articles in Esperanto, many courses of study have been furnished by the press and editorial endorsements are most frequent Esperantist clubs and societies are operating in practically all of the European cities and have large mem bership. Among the most important are those of Paris, with 3,000 members, Marseilles, Lyons, Bordeaux, Havre, Lille, London, Moscow, Ber lin and Dresden. The Esperanto Association of North America reports affiliated clubs in nearly all of the large cities and in many of the smaller ones in both the United States and Canada.