The first word in the first article of the first number of this
Periodical is suggestive. Esperanto! Hope is the Keynote of the whole
movement. We hope, therefore we are moving. It is because we hope we
publish this paper, we form Esperantist circles and we do all that we
can to push a knowledge of Esperanto throughout the world.
Esperantists have no use for pessimists. To Giant Despair Esperanto
is a sealed book. And Hope, like its sister grace Faith, looks to the
future, laughs at impossibilities and says "It shall be done."
Yet, although Esperanto has its roots in the Christian Graces and its
ideal can only be attained in the far future, it is one of the
simplest and most obviously necessary things in the world. So simple
is it and so necessary that we marvel that mankind should have but
now discovered it. It is however impossible any longer to delay its
introduction as an indispensable instrument of human intercourse.
The nineteenth century, by facilitating travel, made the invention of
a key language a necessity. The twentieth century must make its
adoption Universal.
Until a _lingua franca_ or universally accepted key language has
been adopted by all nations, the increase of international
intercourse is an increase of trouble, of irritation and
misunderstanding.
Various attempts have been made to supply such a medium. One by one
they have dwindled away until now Esperanto holds the field!
It is conceivable that, in the course of the ages, the wisdom of
mankind might invent some language more ideally perfect than
Esperanto, but we cannot afford to wait. We want a key language and
we want it now. And as by general agreement of all the most competent
authorities, Esperanto is the best key language yet invented, as
there is no question that it is by far the most widely spread and
generally understood, we invite all English-speaking men and women to
master Esperanto.
We say "Key language" purposely, because it is necessary at the
outset to emphasize the fact that no Esperantist hopes or desires to
supersede any other language by the introduction of Esperanto. No one
dreams of inducing all peoples that on earth do dwell to abandon the
use of their own languages, in their intercourse with men of the
same tongue within the limits of their national and domestic relations.
Esperanto is only put forward as a second language which if
universally adopted would enable the natives of every land to
communicate easily with any foreigner, no matter what might
be his mother tongue.
What we hope is to make the human race bi-lingual.
In this journal, founded as it is in Hope and in good confidence that
the Future will justify our faith, we venture to put forward an
earnest plea that our readers will extend to us the Charity which
will be sorely needed to excuse the inevitable blunders of beginners.
The assumption of Editorial omniscience is usually absurd, but it
would be both preposterous and ridiculous in such a periodical as
this, in which Editor and staff alike are but beginners.
All suggestions and criticisms will be gladly received and cordially
acknowledged.
"We are none of us infallible, not even the youngest," is a wise
saying, especially worthy of acceptation by those on a venture like
this, where all are more or less novices, using a language that is
still in its infancy.
Here is a recapitulation of the reasons which have led to the
founding of this organ of the Esperantist movement in Britain.
We are Esperantists because we have hope and good confidence in the
progress of the human race.
We are Esperantists because we believe that, in the constantly
increasing facility of international communication, the adoption of a
key language is inevitable and absolutely necessary.
We are Esperantists because the adoption of Esperanto will enable men
and women of every nation to share with all others the best
contributions which each has been able to make to the thoughts and
knowledge of the world.
We are Esperantists because there are solid business advantages in
the adoption of a medium which will enable business men to describe,
to push, and to sell their goods in every land, without having to
rely upon the services of translators; and finally--
We are Esperantists because without some such key language we never
can give practical expression, or attain to a full realization of the
sublime truth of the Universal brotherhood of all the nations that
dwell upon the earth.
Therefore we publish this little organ, and cordially invite all
those who share these faiths and these ideals to inquire into this
Esperantist movement and see for themselves whether it would not be
well for them also to join the army of Esperantists.
W. T. Stead.