Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-16
ABOVE ALL LANGUAGE
Prop sed Adoption of a Uni
versal Code of Signs.
THINGS COMMON TO ALL
SENSATIONS POSSESSED BY ALL
HUMANITY.
Basic Idea of the Means of Communica-
ton Suggested by Mr.. Cope
Whitehouse

The suggestion of a means of universal
communication, TO be created by COM
mission composed of representatives of the
various nations of the earth. has been made
by distinguished scientist. Mr. Cope
Wihitehouse, who Is now at the Cosmos
Club.
The world has been talking of univer-
sal language, and Volapuk has been born to
meet with Gerision by many scientific men
because of the declared impossibility OF CIV
it that widespread usefulness that is i'm
piled in its name. There are various codes
for telegraphing and for signaling, but
they all either relate solely to one language
| or are of restricted scope. What Mr. White
house has discussed is the possibility of
framing a universal means of communica-
ton that shall be above mere spoken Ian
| guage and shall be formed on a purely SCI
entific basis.
The languages of the world it has been
reasoned by those who favor this idea
merely provide different names for various
human objects, emotions and actions. In all
diplomatic and commercial relations there
is a great deal of uncertainty, growing from
the necessity of translating from one Ian
guage to another, and in many instances
when the translator does not prove worthy
of trust the parties in interest are frequent
ly put to all sorts of difficulty in the man
ner of exchanging communications. The
code used for commercial purposes and for
matters of diplomacy Is so cumbersome and
uncertain as to give great deal of trou-
bic whenever 1t has to be resorted to.
Mr.. Whitehouse's Plan.
Mr.. Whitehouse's plan embodes a general
idea that It is believed by those who are
familiar with 1t and approve it, would do
away with these difficulties. The bringing
Of the nations of the earth together in such
close rela a c those list
is declared. marks a psychological moment
In which this plan should be given serious
consideration and be carried out.
The essential idea of this plan Is not to
interfere with any existing code of commu-
nicatfon by changing it with the result of
creating confusion. 1t is rather to proceed
from an entirely new basis and to build up
a system of communica ton that can be
used to convey accurate thought between
men speaking different languages,
The basic idea of the principle on which
the universal means of communication or
'oculage' is to be constructed Is the fact
that human objects, emotions and actions
are common to all intelligent people 1t is
reasoned that there is no reason why there
should not be universal code, which will
represent all thought of the human race
not based upon sounds, but upon the thing
itself. Any one communicating in this lam
guage would have his ideas conveyed to
another whose language he might not UNI
derstand, and yet who would receive the
thought communicated and reduce II TO
the words of his own language, if he should
SO desire
1t IS suggested that a very much smaller
number OF signs than are EMPLOYED in the
English language would be sufficient to
perform the services required by this uni
versal code. Twelve or fifteen signs might
be ample for that purpose.
The difficulty that was had by the Rus.
sain and japanese in conveying exact ideas
to one another is instanced as an tndica-
ton OF the usefulness OF a universal code
On the other hand when Admiral Dewey
signaled at Manila all the officers In the
various fleets in that vicinity understood
what he said. Even If there Were a uni
yersal language, only constant communica-
ton between the various people using 1t
would allow 1t to continue to be universal
But with universal code reduced to writ
ing the eXactness of the communications
that would be possible would be absolute
Experts Consulted.
Mr.. Whitehouse has consulted experts of
the army and navy. we'll as men in COM
mercial and scientific circles, concerning his
plan for a universal code There have been
many men who believe that 1t would be
possible for a commission of experts to
construct universal code which would be
Of vast value to the diplomatic commercial
and social world. The Arabic system is
looked upon as giving more suggestions for |
such q code than perhaps any other and |
it is believed that the name of Roosevelt, |
should the President look into this matter |
and take the Initiative in getting univer- |
sal commission to consider 1t, would not |
only command the attention of all nations |
but would also insure success. 1t is for |
that reason that 1t has been suggested that |
the code be known as the Code Roosevelt" |
Mr.. Whftehouse desires to have the Secre- |
tary of Commerce and Labor refer this |
suggestion to the bureau of navigation with |
a view OF promoting the formation Of a |
commission to obtain the best advice pos |