THE RED CROSS AND ESPERANTO
BY MAJOR P. F. STRAUB, U. S. A.
Medical Corps
Major Straub was the official delegate of the War Department at the Esperanto Congress held at Dresden, Germany, in August last. The following extract is taken from his report to the Adjutant-General, U. S. A.:—Editor.
From a military point of view, the most important application of Esperanto at this time would appear to be in the sanitary service, and I am of the opinion that the Government would be justified in giving it official countenance. It is suggested that a beginning be made by introducing it into the National Red Cross Association, where at first it might be added as an elective study in the course of instruction for the Red Cross columns that are now being organized, and it would appear that a two-fold purpose would be served thereby, in that, the language might become of great practical use in time of war and that it would help to hold the columns together by an additional bond of mutual interest. The officers of the European Red Cross organizations, especially those of France and Germany, have taken an active interest in the propaganda, and many high officials of their organizations were present at the congress. An exhibition was also given by a Dresden Red Cross column, in which all of the exercises were conducted in Esperanto.
Many efforts have been made in former years to introduce a series of manuals for the sanitary personnel of the military establishments to facilitate communication with sick and wounded prisoners of war, but such efforts were unsuccessful, largely on account of the difficulty of learning the proper pronunciation of foreign tongues. This objection cannot apply to Esperanto, as there is no difficulty whatever in this respect, and it is quite easy to understand it whether spoken by Russian, German, Turk, Japanese, or American. Lieutenant Bayol, an officer of the French army, has prepared a set of small pamphlets which give the questions that would be asked by the nurse and patient and their appropriate answers, in French, German, Italian or English, and in a parallel column the corresponding Esperanto.
Recommendation: In view of the extensive use already made of Esperanto in foreign Red Cross organization, it is recommended that it be brought to the attention of our National Red Cross organization, so that it may be included as an elective study in the course of instruction for Red Cross columns.
Second Indorsement. War Department, Office of the Surgeon General, Oct. 24, 1908. Respectfully returned to The Adjutant General of the Army. The study of Esperanto in the military service should be encouraged as it is believed that the proposed international language is destined to play an important role in international intercourse. It is recommended that the attention of the American National Red Cross Association be called to the subject, and that authority be given to furnish it a copy of this report.
R. M. O’REILLY, Surgeon General, U. S. A.
Fourth Indorsement. War Department, The Adjutant-General’s Office, Washington, November 17, 1908. Respectfully returned to the Surgeon-General, approved by the Secretary of War as recommended in the second indorsement. The return of this paper is desired. By order of the Secretary of War.
HENRY P. McCAIN, Adjutant-General.