The Washington herald., 1910-08-14
DELEGATES CHEER
CHIEF ESPERANTIST
Dr.. L. L. ZamenhOf Leads Big
Procession to Hotel.
OTHER NOTABLESs WELCOMED
shouts of ''Vivu Zamenhof'' Come
from Every Side as Distinguished
Pole Reaches Capital for Con-
gress, which Opens Tomorrow.
Church Services To-day.

When DR.. L. L. Zamenhof, OF Warsaw,
Poland. father Of Esperanto, stepped
from bis train yesterday afternoon Union
Station resounded to the cheers of the
entire Esperantists' Congress. and more
than 500 devotees OF the language pressed
forward to take his hand.
Every delegate to the convention
which opens tomorrow morning at the
Arlington Hotel, rode 20 meet the 40
train in a procession Of automobiles car
riages. and sightseeing automobiles
When the train yolled into the station
they were banked along the gates, cheer
ing Justify and waving their handker-
chiefs.
DR.. zamenhof walked to his carriage
through a solid lane of smiling men and
women. shaking hands right and left as
he went Shouts of ''vivu Zamenhof!'
came from every side.
The scene was absolutely unique, and
st showed beyond the shadow of a doubt
the degree Of enthusiasm the delegates
have for the language that they believe
IS destined to be the melting pot Of all
other tongues
Other NOtabIes Arrive.
Half a dozen other distinguished repre-
sentatives OF foreign countries were on
the same train. other train loads will
pour in to-day, and II IS expected that
by the time the congress is called to or
der the attendance will eclipse all
records.
The Arlington was one Of the busiest
spots in Washington yesterday. From
early morning until nearly midnight the
rooms set aside for the Esperantlsts
headquarters were filed with chattering
folks Of many nations.
Swarthy Spaniards talked about the
weather with blond gentlemen from Ger
many, one japanese delegate chatted
fuently without recourse 10 the language
Of Nippon. and Americans rolled out
Esperanto with accents that ranged from
soft Southern drawls to the New Eng
land twang
AS Capt. Josefo Perogordo, emmissary
OF his majesty King Alfonso. OF Spain,
remarked to brother Esperantist, there
would have been little difficulty in the
vicinity of the Tower of Babel if Espe-
ranto had been in vogue.
Final Details Arranged.
There were no regular meetings yes
terday. save an executive session of the
congressional committee in the morning
TO arrange final details for the opening
sessions.
Last night was dedicated to DR.. "a
menhof. He was given an informal re-
ception in the ballroom of the Arlington.
and he had word for every one as the
long line Of delegates passed to grip his
hand.
The committee which arranged the
greeting at Union Station was composed
Of Dr. III. W. Yeatman, Capt Perogordo,
NJ. Chavet, Dr. E. C. Reed. and Mrs
d. c. Reed.
They formed his escort as he walked
through the crowd The policemen de-
tailed by Maj Sylvester for the con-
gress opened a narrow lane through
which Or. Zamenhof passed.
Then the procession started back to
the hotel, with DR.. Zamenhofs carriage
in the van. At the Arlington he caught
sight Of the green flag that is symbolic
CT the universal tongue.
Maj Sylvester received letter yester-
day from the Esperanto Police Club Of
Paris giving the Washington police salu-
tations and the respects Of the Paris
finest" DR. Edwin Reed has instructed
three Washington policemen in Esperanto.
so when a delegate wanted 10 know how
to get about the city yesterday. he asked
his questions in the international Ian
guage and got a prompt and courteous
reply
Hotel Clerks Puzzled.
The clerks at the hotel. by the way.
wore a worried look all day. Every one
expected them TO understand rapid-flre
questions in Esperanto and when they
shook their heads in bewildered sort
Of way some OF the foreign representa-
tives tried French. German, and even
Spanish
Capt Perogordo. of Spain, was one of
the most interesting figures at the con-
yention headquarters. He wore the brill
liant red and blue uniform Of one OF King
Alfonso's own regiments. dividing honors
with Capt John Pollan Of the British
army. as TO smart military appearance.
Capt. Pollan is president Of the British
Esperanto Association. He will make
more than one address during this con-
gress. He was appointed special repre-
sentative by King George.
Il was decided yesterday by the con-
gressional committee that special open
sessions for the public viii be held once
or twice. when addresses will be made
In English. Esperanto will be the Ian
guage at the other sessions. and any
7one who disregards the rule will be
called 10 order by the chairman.
Church Services To-day.
High mass will be celebrated at 10
o'clock to-day at St Patrick's Catholic
Church. Tenth and G streets. especially
for the congress. There will also be n
special service at st. Paurs Episcopal
Church, Pennsylvania avenue and Twen-
ty-third street. at II O'Clock
The first regular session will be called
10 order tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock
The delegates viii have this afternoon 20
themselves. and tonight there Will be
a musicale at the Arlington. where every
performer will be one OF the congress.
During the week the Marine Band win
play La Esper6." the official march Of
The Esperantists, at several Of their con-
certs.
Unlined short wraps, made Of chiffon
voile and rnaroufSptfpS ara being enou-n