_The contents of this section are supplied by the Hon. Sec. of the
London Esperanto Club, who invites all Esperantists to send monthly
reports of the spread of the International Language in their
districts. Communications must reach 14, Norfolk Street, London,
W.C., before the 8th of each month._
On Friday, October 14th, the unification of organised effort for the
propagation of Esperanto within the British Empire was accomplished
by the formation of The British Esperanto Association. This took
place at a meeting of representatives of many of the twenty-five
British Societies, and individual Esperantists of both sexes, held in
the Essex Hall, Strand.
Our space does not admit of a verbatim report of the speeches, which
can only be given in condensed form.
On the motion of Mr. J. Rhodes (Keighley), seconded by Mr. C. E.
Cowper (Deal), Mr. W. T. Stead was called to the chair.
The chairman said the business of the evening was not to discuss the
merits or demerits of Esperanto. They were met as a company of men
and women who had come to the conclusion that Esperanto was the best
thing going in the way of a key-language, and that it was their duty
to decide how best to join their forces so as to make the best thing
within sight available to the greatest number of people in the
shortest possible time (hear, hear).
When the movement began to spread it developed one or two features
which he thought were rather hopeful. Persons with enterprise began
here and there to see that if Esperanto was going to go, there was
money in Esperanto. He had a great belief in things that had money in
them (hear, hear). For this reason, that any good cause which would
pay a 5 per cent. dividend would multiply and increase itself just as
a tree would multiply itself by throwing off its seed; but any
philanthropic or other public-spirited association which would pay no
penny in dividend was like a telegraph pole set in the ground--it
would stand until it rotted, but it would never breed another
telegraph pole. So it was in relation to societies that were purely
benevolent. But perhaps that was too bad to be suggested of this new
organisation, which was to be a purely propagandist association.
He should look upon it as representing what he might call the
"Church" of Esperanto. He hoped there might be a profitable and
revenue-producing "State" of Esperanto growing up outside with
which their organisation would be in the closest possible manner
associated, and while their business would be to preach the pure
gospel of the cause, the other fellows would come along and
gather up the shekels. As for themselves, they only wanted
sufficient of the shekels to keep the matter going.
A committee had been sitting for some time considering about the
formation of a National Association, and among the suggestions framed
was one as to title. Scarcely a month passed but some irate Scotsman
wrote to say he was a most dastardly person for not having taken note
that there were others beside English in the United Kingdom. Then the
Americans would not have the word "British" at all; while as to the
formula "English-speaking," the title "English-Speaking Esperanto
Association" would look rather foolish, seeing that the object was
speaking, not English, but Esperanto. It had, therefore, been finally
decided, after a good deal of discussion, that, subject to the
approval of that meeting, the title dividing them the least, and
which would be the simplest, was The British Esperanto Association.
The suggestions, copies of which would be found on the chairs, had
been drawn up by the London Group, and submitted to the rest as a
basis for a provisional organisation until next May. Their purport
had practically been embodied in a number of Resolutions now to be
laid before the meeting.
He concluded by moving the first Resolution: That a society, to be
entitled "The British Esperanto Association," be and is hereby
formed. Mr. Geddes (Dover) seconded.
A discussion followed, Mr. A. E. Wackrill (late of Ceylon) suggesting
a difficulty as to the equivalent in Esperanto of "Association," and
pointing out the desirability of having the same initials for the
title in both languages. It was replied that the word "Asociacio"
(shortened in the newer _Esperanto-German Dictionary_ into "Asocio")
was already available. Finally, after Mr. Parsons (Battersea) had
failed to find a seconder for his amendment--"The Esperanto Society
of Great Britain and Ireland"--the Resolution moved from the chair
was adopted unanimously.
Resolution 2.
Moved by Mr. Ledger (London); seconded by Mr. Gill (Acton). The
objects of the Association shall be:--To promote in every way the
spread of the auxiliary International language "Esperanto" by the
formation of new local societies. By appointing representatives.
Appointing delegates for International conferences. The arrangement
of congresses. Distributing information throughout the Empire.
Arranging for the loan of collections of literature, correspondence,
etc. The making arrangements for lectures. The publishing and
distribution of books and propaganda literature. The organising of
examinations and granting certificates of proficiency, etc., etc.
Resolution 3.
Moved by Mr. Cowper (Deal); seconded by Mr. Hayes (London). That
the following gentlemen be elected to hold office until the
annual meeting in May, 1905:--Honorary President--Dr. Zamenhof.
President--Lieut.-Col. Pollen, LL.D. Vice-Presidents--Messrs. Joseph
Rhodes, F.J.I., J. C. O'Connor, B.A., Felix Moscheles, W. T. Stead.
Hon. Treasurer--Mr. W. Whitebrook. Hon. Secretary--Mr. H. Clegg. Hon.
Auditors--Messrs. Schultz, Comins & Co.
Resolution 4.
Moved by Mr. T. Hoskison (Leeds); seconded by Mr. Finez (Dover). That
a provisional Council be formed, consisting of one representative of
each existing British group, with power to add to the number, such
Council to hold office until May, 1905, when the first annual meeting
shall be held and a new Council elected.
Councillors.--Aberdeen, Mr. Christen; Acton, Mr. Gill; Battersea, Mr.
Lee; Bedford, Mr. Dudeney; Bournemouth, Mr. Woodward; Brighton, Miss
Oxenford; Brixton, Mr. Eagle; Corbridge, Miss Bickell; Dover, Mr.
Geddes; Dublin, Mr. Fournier; Edinburgh, Prof. Sarolea; Forest Gate,
Mr. Carter; Glasgow, Mr. Wallace; Ilford, Mr. Jeffery; Keighley, Mr.
Rhodes; Kensington, Mr. Maitland; Leeds, Mr. Wyms; Leicester, Mr.
Mugglestone; Liverpool, Dr. Lloyd; London, Miss Lawrence; Newcastle,
Mr. Mills; Plymouth, Mr. Thill; Portsmouth, Dr. Greenwood; St.
Andrews, Mr. Haxton; Tynemouth, Mr. Davidson.
Resolution 5.
Moved by Mr. Joseph Rhodes (Keighley); seconded by Dr. Lloyd
(Liverpool). That the Association shall consist of Fellows, Members,
and Associates.
An annual subscription (the amount of which shall be determined by
the Rules) shall be payable by each Fellow and Member respectively.
These subscriptions shall be 5s. for Fellows, and 2s. 6d. for Members
for the period up to the annual meeting in May, 1905.
Individual Members of all Associated Groups shall be, _ipso facto_,
Associates, but without the right of voting (except through their
Group Leaders).
The Rules shall provide for the election by the Council, from time to
time, of Honorary Members, consisting of friends and helpers of the
cause.
Resolution 6.
Moved by Mr. Cowper (Deal); seconded by Mr. O'Connor (London). The
amount of annual subscription for affiliated Groups, based upon the
effective numerical strength of each Group, shall be determined by
the Rules; but the amount of subscription payable for the period up
to the annual meeting in May, 1905, shall be 3d. per head.
Resolution 7.
Moved by Mr. Reeve (London); seconded by Mr. Millidge (London). That
the Council be empowered to prepare a draft set of Rules for the
Association, to be submitted to the first general meeting.
Resolution 8.
Moved by Mr. O'Connor (London); seconded by Miss Lawrence (London).
That the Council be authorised to hire, as soon as possible, a room
for one year, with the approval of the Guarantor; and to engage a
paid assistant secretary for the period up to the annual meeting in
May, 1905.
Resolution 9.
Moved by Mr. Farnes (London); seconded by Miss Schafer (London). That
the honorary secretary be authorised at the conclusion of this
meeting to enroll members on payment of the provisional subscription
of 2s. 6d., and to receive donations, and that the Council be
empowered to elect from amongst the members, before the annual
meeting in May, 1905, a limited number of Fellows who have proved
themselves to be expert Esperantists, and are willing to pay 5s.
For convenience sake these resolutions have been set down in the
fashion in which they were finally settled, but no single resolution
was passed without comment or discussion, although to most of them
unanimous consent was finally given; for example, there was an
amendment to Resolution 2, Mr. E. W. Eagle (Brixton) moving that the
objects should be as in the printed paper, that is, in the sentence
"distributing information throughout the Empire," "Empire" should be
omitted. This was seconded by Mr. E. W. Bullen (Dulwich). Mr. J. C.
O'Connor (London) pleaded for the larger idea, and pointed out that
he had recently received applications for information as to how to
start Groups from persons in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sidney, and another
distant part of the Empire. The chairman suggested that, even if the
words were left out, there would really be no limitation of the
activities of the Association to that part of the Empire contained
within the British Isles. The meeting thereupon accepted the
amendment unanimously, and the words stand simply "Distributing
Information." Sir William Ramsay had been requested to become
president, but, his absence in America making it possible that a
reply would scarcely reach London before the meeting, the noted
scholar and ardent Esperantist, Colonel Pollen, had consented to come
to our help if needed. Sir William's telegram arrived just before the
meeting, the letter not until later. With his usual kindness he
wrote:--
R.M.S. _Baltic_, 13th October, 1904.
I am most flattered by your request. My position is simply this:--I
am on the Council of so many Societies (and on the Senate of London
University, too) that I find I have not sufficient time for what is
really the business of my life, research. It is true that each
Society takes only a little time, say, one afternoon a fortnight,
some more; but in the aggregate they take far more time than I ought
to give. I am now free from the presidentship of the Society of
Chemical Industry; but I must still attend its meetings, for the new
president is an American, and cannot be present in London.
These considerations lead me to decline your flattering offer.
Believe me it is not want of will; but I have made up my mind not to
undertake any more work of the kind for some years. I _must_ have
time for my own work, and the only way to secure it is to decline all
public offices.
Remember that I am in complete sympathy with your movement.
Yours faithfully,
William Ramsay.
Thus far our efforts have been successful, and the B.E.A. formed,
but we must not forget that this is only the first step, we have to
formulate carefully the Rules; and suggestions of all kinds will be
welcome. The arrangement as to examiners and examinations will be an
arduous and difficult work, and this applies to the whole of the
objects mentioned in Resolution 2. Each and everyone of us must do
our very best to give of our time and of our means. It has often been
said that true enthusiasm empties pockets. Let us, everyone who can
afford it, at least, become members, and those who can go one better
may add a donation. Subscriptions and funds will be gladly welcomed
by the Hon. Secretary, Harald Clegg, Esq., 14, Norfolk Street,
Strand, London.
Our space will not allow me to mention the classes in and around
London; particulars of these were published in the October
Esperantist. There was, however, one mistake, Miss Schafer's
class at the German Club, Charlotte Street, Fitzroy Square, is held
on Wednesday. The Principal of the Cusack Institute, White Street,
close to Moorgate Street Station, has placed a room at our disposal,
and classes are held there on Thursday evenings--beginners at 6.15,
teacher Mr. Gray; advanced 7.15, Miss Schafer.
Which of our readers has not heard of the extraordinary progress made
by Esperanto in Aberdeen? Their case is, I should think, unique. As
the result of a newspaper propaganda, commenced scarcely five weeks
ago, Aberdeen has more than 170 students attending classes. They
intend to hold a meeting in the Town Hall, which holds 5,000 people,
and already names for the Adresaro are coming in. All honour to the
enthusiastic Mr. A. Christen, who has originated and carried out this
successful movement.
News of progress abroad will have to be held over this month. Two
items are of great importance. At a congress of workmen painters held
lately in Grenoble it was decided that delegates to the next congress
must be able to speak Esperanto; and the preparations for the
reception of Dr. Zamenhof at Boulogne are already being commenced.
* * *
Tutmonda Jarlibro.
As all our readers know, this wonderful directory has been compiled
by So de Ménil, of 45, Boulevard Magenta, Paris. It being the first
of its kind, absolute correctness was impossible. All Esperantists
are, therefore, earnestly asked to correct any mistakes they find in
it, and to forward such corrections to So de Ménil before the 10th
November. Postcards will do of course; but if we are to have a
correct directory next year everyone _must_ help, and that speedily.
We have already notified M. de Ménil of most obvious slips.
* * *
Mr. H. P. Hughes, of 2, Fairfield Road, Stockton Heath, Warrington,
will send reprints of his interesting article (which appeared in
several papers) to any who will send a stamped addressed envelope,
and Mr. Dudeney's article in the _Bedfordshire Times_ is still
obtainable, price 2d.
* * *
We learn with great pleasure that our able friend Mr. Motteau holds,
by request of Dr. Stanton Coit, a weekly class (on Mondays at 7.30)
at the Union of Ethical Societies, 19, Buckingham Street, Strand, W.C.