ESPERANTO.
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.