The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-05-26
CONCERNING ESPERANTO,
THE ARTIFICIAL LANGUAGE

4nE AR4Ar AS1AL LANGUAGE
Among the countless attempts thas
have been made 10 construct an interna<
tionsl language 70 serve as a common
means OF communication for all the peo-
pies OF the earth, Esperanto stands OUT
as the most successful. Volapuk seemed
at one time about 70 conquer the world.
but the movement went to pieces BY
reason OF certain fatal defects ~ con
structlon and OF the Obstinacy OF the
creator OF the language in refusing 10
accept any amendments looking 20 the
correction Of these faults. DIT. Zamen-
hof, the originator of Esperanto. IS
however. q different sort or man, whose
mOdesty and whose love for the creaturs
Of his brain forbid that be should de-
stroy this by refusing TO listen 10 pro-
pOsals for its betterment, II such might
be found necessary But. 50 perfect IS
tne instrument his genius has created.
mat there is apparently no room for
any but the most trivial changes. il IL
a language Of root words. most OF which
are already familiar 10 any one with -
reading knowledge Of the three prin-
elpal tongues Of Europe From these
roofs. by means OF prehxes and suffixes,
Is built up a vocabulary which seems 70
meet every verbal need OF man. whether
Tor ordinary conversation IT for scien~
tine discussion. Any one Of average in
teligence can master these rules OF
construction thoroughly in one week
Dy giving an hour day TO their study.
Then. II already familiar with Latin
and Teutonic roots. he viii be able to
read almost at sight any EsperantO
text using a dictionary only 70 learn
the meaning OF the few Slavonic roots
that Dr. Zamenhof. himself A native OF
BtelystOk Russia. has incorporated in
the language The ability 70 write or
speak the language would, OF course.
I don 4 -
student would In a month md himself
able 70 communicate with ease with
Esperantists IN any part OF the world
az least. so the Esperanto enthusiasts
II Will surprise those who have noa
I had their attention turned 10 the SUBJ
Jet 10 learn what a position this new
! language has already acquired IN tha
few years II has been in existence
Joseph Rhodes. vice president OF thu
British Esperanto Association, SAYS I've
quote from the North American Review
OF February Is, 1901
-Statistically considered. up 10 June,
1915. Esperanto was known 70 have PEN
i'etrated 10 thirty-One countries. and 81
societies OF groups were at work.
Europe being credited with 34S. America
/ with 16-the United States having then
/ 10 societies In seven centers-Asia with
Z, Africa with 3. and OceaniCa with .
I To give q census OF Esperantists IS i'm
possible but a recent moderate guess
/ az their number Is 10000 There are also
| 81 professional societies or organizations
/ using Esperanto for special objects. 3
/ Esperanto magazines. IN which the ma
/ uonel language appears side by side
I with the International and NATIONAL
/ periodicals containing a regular Espe-
/ rantO column. Europe IS so far the
/ center OF gravity. and here the societies
I are distributed. France 81. Great Brit
Z am o4- Germany. %. Austria H unEdrl Q
3; Switzerland. p. Russia and Spain. q
each, Bulgaria and Sweden. - each :
/ Belgium. u; Holland, :; Denmark and
I Malta. 3 each: and Monaco. l."
| Any movement whether linguistic. 500
/ ciaiiStlc. religious or scientific. which has
1 acquired such a momentum in a single
| lustrum CDR. Zamenhofs first pamphlet
7 was put Tort IN 1877 but though a few
I enthusiastic recruits were obtained al
! most Immediately. the language has
/ really been launched but little moro
| than i've years. is worthy the respect
I ful attention OF thinking men. i IS al
1 ready receiving practical recognition IN
/ many countries OF Europe. The govern
I ments OF France and Belgium are consid-
/ ering the ACCESSIBILITY OF teaching Es~
\ perantO in the public schools; the Lon
/ don County Council has authorized the
/ study in some Of its schools. II is being
I taught unOffciaily in the French army:
l the London Chamber of Commerce has
/ placed * among the official subjects OF
I examination; the children of many Of
l ing H. and IN Germany there are two
| publishing houses making a speciality OF
Esperanto publications. Medical men ps-
] pecially in France. but not a few in this
/ country. are enthusiastic students and
/ prOpagandists Of the language. and
I there is already in existence one Esper-
| anto medical journal.-Medical Record