The telegraph and telephone have made of the world a whispering
gallery. Steam and electric traction have annihilated space. The
scattered human race yet remains a strangely misunderstood family.
Within one hour the report of a momentous event may be shot through
500 languages and as many more dialects; but convene a thousand
representative dissimilar one-speech people and all becomes Babel if
not Pandemonium. Impossible, indeed, for each to learn the language of
the thousand; but how small a matter for all to learn a common second
language if such a language can be produced.
And it has been produced: Esperanto has been born a composite of the
pith of all language; precise, learnable at sight and almost
grammarless.
This Esperanto Classic, “Robinsono Kruso,” is somewhat of an
achievement for American enterprise as it is the first of its size and
kind yet published here. It has been undertaken with zeal and wrought
out according to ability. The original translation was made by the
highly esteemed Rev. A. Krafft. Other friends and supporters are:
William D. Chandler, “Ĉefmonhelpanto.”
Prof. E. V. Huntington, Harvard University.
Prof. D. O. S. Lowell, Roxbury Latin School.
Mr. Edwin D. Mead, Peace Movement.
Mrs. Dr. N. E. Wood, Newton Theol. Sem.
Kambriĝa Klubo.
J. M. Connolly, M. D.
Mr. W. L. Church.
Mr. G. W. Lee.
Dr. W. G. Nowell.
Mr. L. B. Luders.
Trusting that this book will find favor and meet reasonably the
expectations of the “Esperantistaro de Ameriko kaj tutmondo,” we
heartily submit it to the entire reading world.