Bahá’í World/Volume 2/The Bahá’í Cause at the Universal Esperanto Congresses at Edinburgh and Danzig
THE BAHÁ’Í CAUSE AT THE UNIVERSAL ESPERANTO CONGRESSES AT EDINBURGH AND DANZIG
BY
MARTHA L. ROOT
THE CONGRESS AT EDINBURGH
THE Eighteenth Universal Esperanto Congress was held in Edinburgh, Scotland, July 31 to August 7, 1926. Perhaps there is no better way to begin telling you about it than by using the words of the mother of George Stephenson, who used to live in Great Britain not so many hours ride from Edinburgh. When George Stephenson was inventing his steam engine his dear dubious mother kept saying, “O George, it will never go!” When it was completed and running perfectly, this inventor took his mother for a ride. Then she suddenly said, “O George, it will never stop!” That in one line is the position of Esperanto.
This Eighteenth Universal Esperanto Congress is the forerunner of the International Congresses of the future. It was not a congress just to talk about Esperanto as a language. That stage is past; people from half the countries of the world arose and discussed all the modern progressive movements conscious that one thousand delegates from thirty-nine different countries were understanding every word. An Esperanto International Summer University was another excellent feature. The Congress was called “The Congress of Joy.”
What could be more thrilling or more of a liberal education than to come to Edinburgh to this Universal Esperanto Congress! The very trip itself was extraordinary. As Esperantists journeyed through various lands en-route, they were met at railway stations and ship docks by friends in ‘Esperantujo’ (the Land of Esperanto). Each one felt himself at home and as one family, for his brothers and sisters speaking his dear language showed him the best of the sights in their city, and they showed him love. Later the trains pouring into Edinburgh with their universal passengers often had four or five sections. The Scotch Esperantists, many British and all those newly arrived from other lands met the incoming guests with the green flags flying high. The welcomes in one tongue reverberated back from the glass roof of the station.
Edinburgh has welcomed many International Congresses but none so unique as this. Beautiful Princess Street, very ‘Scotch’ did not say; “I am the greatest promenade in Europe;” Edinburgh did not say, “I am the modern Athens;” but with their beauty, their glorious gardens, their castle and other historic charming buildings and monuments, they were—and the Congress visitors had capacity to see! The Scotch did not do a lot of talking about hospitality, but the following is a little of their hospitality: The city gave the free use of the street cars to all Esperantists and the conductors saluted the ‘Kongresanoj’ in Esperanto. The newspapers told the price of the journals in Esperanto; the menus in leading restaurants were in Esperanto. The city gave a great reception of welcome [Page 266]
the officials wearing their royal red robes, and introducing their best Scotch music and dances in Highland costume.
St. Giles’ Cathedral with its stately tower that seemed to say to the Esperantists: “Come to me, I am the preacher and teacher of peace,” was the scene of the Esperanto sermon on Sunday. Sitting in that great cathedral, side by side with brothers and sisters from almost every land, one felt that John Knox, who so often used to preach there, had not thundered in vain his call to religious freedom. The writer hoped that Janet Geddes, the courageous young woman who so fearlessly had arisen in that historic cathedral and thrown the stool (which she had brought to sit on) at the head of the Dean, who tried to read them a religion against their conscience,—she hoped Janet Geddes could look down from the Kingdom of God and see how Esperanto also is striking a blow towards the freedom of the conscience of humanity.
Solemnly impressive was the dedication of the Bible in Esperanto which has just been completed by the Scotch Esperantists and the first copies were presented that morning to the Dean of St. Giles and other clergymen. It is the first time in the history of the world that the complete Bible has been translated into an artificial language, Mr. ]. M. Warden, Mr. William Harvey and the other Scotch members of this Esperanto Bible committee have worked thousands of hours on this, and the Bible is in the purest, best Esperanto style. Two Scotch women gave the money, several thousand dollars, to have this Bible published in a worthy, befitting way.
It was in Scotland that the monument was built which now marks the resting place in Warsaw, Poland, of Dr. Ludovik L. Zamenhof, the creator of Esperanto. Esperantists of the world gave it, but it is of Scotch marble, simple and beautiful. Some critical people have presumed to say it should have been more imposing, more costly. Personally, the writer feels it is the kind of monument which would have pleased the author of Esperanto, for he loved simplicity. But dearest readers, what are the monuments to our beloved Dr. Zamenhof? Is not this Esperanto Bible one of the most beautiful monuments to his honor! Are not the splendid Esperanto Congresses and the hundreds of thousands of enthusiastic Esperantists themselves the best monument to the creator of our language of brotherhood!
The International Summer University in Esperanto which was a part of this Congress was most interesting and the matter of an international university was considered. Professor Pierre Bovet, of Geneva, Switzerland, who opened the sessions, said there was need not only for an international university, but for an international language by which such an institution could spread abroad its learning. This was the second year of the International Summer University in Esperanto, and the subjects in the curriculum this year were greater than last. Reviewing the work of the International Committee, Professor Bovet gave details of unique experiments carried out in the Jean Jacques Rousseau Institute in Geneva. His opinion was that, after the mother tongue, Esperanto should next be taught, as thereafter the child would be able more easily to learn any other language. His idea is that after the child’s first year of Esperanto, Esperanto should be used in the teaching of geography. An Esperanto geography of the world should be made, each country supervising the geography of its own land. Then in these experimental schools the children could supplement their work by an interchange of Esperanto letters and picture postcards with scholars in other lands.
Abbe Andreo Che of Rumania, one of the most eloquent Esperanto lecturers and teachers in the world, and famed as the best propagandist of Esperanto in Europe, gave a course in the Summer University on “The Direct Method of Teaching Esperanto.” If some of the leading universities of the United States would arrange for Abbe Che to give [Page 267]
monthly demonstration courses in Esperanto it would prove to the educationists, scientists, psychologists, and sociologists the wonderful possibilities of Esperanto as an international auxiliary language in America.
Folklore in different lands was presented by university men at this International Summer University. One felt the spirit of different countries through the extraordinary presentation of the poetry and songs of various nations. It inspired one to visit the lands where the songs are sung. One needs to see an international university in an international setting to realize how cosmopolitan and broadening is its effect.
Every shade of opinion, (religious, political and others), was represented at the Esperanto Congress. In the main meetings controversial topics were avoided, but thirty-three international associations held conventions in Esperanto, discussing their particular subject from an international point of view.
Two Bahá’í Esperanto Conventions were held as part of this Eighteenth Universal Esperanto Congress. The Congress took place in the same Free Church of Scotland where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá spoke in January, 1913. Dr. Immanuel Olsvanger, representative of the Zionist Movement in Great Britain, and considered one of the most fluent Esperanto speakers in the world, graciously consented to act as Chairman at the first Bahá’í session, August 2nd. He spoke in his introduction of the friendly relations between these two important movements in the Near East. Then he presented the writer who spoke on, “The Positive Power of Universal Religion,” in which she clearly set forth the Bahá’í teachings. She answered the questions in the general discussion which followed. Then Mr. Friedrich Gerstner, of Hamburg, Germany, editor of La Nova Tago, gave a short stereopticon talk showing slides of ‘Akká and Haifa, Palestine, and the progress of the Bahá’í Cause in different lands. The musical conductor was Mr. Benneman, of Germany, who had so ably conducted at the grand concert the evening before and the following day he appeared on the Summer University program as the speaker on “German Folklore and Popular Songs;” and Miss Elizabeth Herrick and Mrs. Arthur Brown, of London, read from the Words of Bahá’u’lláh.
The audience included the two daughters of Dr. Ludovik L. Zamenhof—Dr. Sofie Zamenhof and Miss Lydia Zamenhof,—both distinguished Esperantists. Heads of important schools were present, as were also Church of England clergymen, pastors, leaders of religious movements in the Occident and Orient, several members of the International Language Committee, Presidents of Peace Societies. Among the nations represented were the United States, Great Britain, France, Spain, Germany, Poland, Hungary, Rumania, Australia, Holland, Austria, Japan, and many others.
Professor Ernest A. Rogers, Head of the Montezuma School, Los Gatos, California, spoke eloquently at the second Bahá’í Convention, in Esperanto on August 4th. He had met ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in America in 1912. The writer presided and outlined the Bahá’í principles. Mr. Gerstner gave a stereopticon talk showing notable pictures in Bahá’í history. Little Miss Mollie Brown, of London, nine years old, founder of the “London Garden of Justice” recited Words of Bahá’u’lláh. Miss Pagan, head of the King Arthur School, in Edinburgh, who had met ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in 1911, sent a wealth of roses for this session. (Everyone, from every country, who had personally met ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in their own land, came forward and did something for these two Bahá’í Conventions.) Lady Blomfield, a Bahá’í from London, who came especially to assist with the Bahá’í meetings and conferences, arranged the flowers for both these sessions. The decorations were unique and so artistic they will long be remembered by all the Congressists. Miss Julia Culver, of Chicago, although she was not able to be present, did a very great deal for the success of these two Conventions.
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For eight days, at the Mayor’s reception, at the ball, at the boat excursion through the Firth of Clyde and the Kyles of Bute, interested people from many lands asked further concerning these principles of Bahá’u’lláh. One man at the Mayor’s reception offered to translate “Roy’s” compilation into the Braille. Much has been done to promote Esperanto among the blind. The Braille edition, prepared for the blind of the world, in this universal auxiliary language, at once brings a great range of literature to this group. Thirty blind delegates from different lands were the guests of the Congress.
Speakers from thirty-nine countries broadcasted greetings in Esperanto that week.
The presence of so many children was another significant feature of this Congress. Some of the youngest children spoke with perfect pronunciation.
The weather, too, became an ardent Esperantist and behaved so well, the inhabitants of Edinburgh said they had never known so much sunshine in one week.
Some reader may ask, “What does the League of Nations do about Esperanto?” It was reported in this Esperanto Congress that the Intellectual Commission in the League of Nations which two years ago adopted a resolution recommending the study of a national language, or Latin—because they did not favor the promotion of an artificial language—was unsuccessful. The resolution of this Commission was not adopted by the General Assembly of the League of Nations in Geneva. This record of the League of Nations adopted in 1922, giving facts about Esperanto and containing a recommendation is filed, and pamphlets about it may be obtained from the League of Nations, Geneva.
Is it far afield in this article to ask, “What is artificial?” It is something consciously produced by art. If this is the criterion one may well beware lest he condemn man’s work wholesale. Esperanto as a universal auxiliary language has a spirit, it is a living language!
Mr. Frederick G. Cottrell, of Washington, was at the Esperanto Congress for forty-eight hours. Speaking to him the morning the Congress photograph was taken, the writer asked him what he thought of English as the universal auxiliary language. He said in the degree that any national language becomes successful as the international auxiliary language, in that degree it will arouse antagonism. The minute it is officially recognized it will begin to hurt!
Dr. Olsvanger made a good point at the Congress when he urged Esperanto societies, the world over, to begin with the word Esperanto in all telephone books when giving the name of local clubs. Then travelers, looking under E would readily find the headquarters of Esperanto in various cities.
There are three hundred and seventy international organizations in the world. The laggards among them that have not yet used this International Esperanto Congress to promote their work more rapidly and universally are awaking to the fact that they are losing a most valuable opportunity.
The Nineteenth Universal Esperanto Congress will be held in Danzig, July 28 to August 4, 1927. Many hundreds of European Esperantists who could not afford the journey to Scotland are enrolling for the Danzig Congress. Indications show that it will be one of the greatest ever held.
This article closes with the telegram of congratulations from Dr. August Forel the great scientist of Switzerland, “Long live the universal religion of Bahá’u’lláh! Long live the universal auxiliary language, Esperanto!”
THE CONGRESS AT DANZIG
THE Ninteenth Universal Congress of Esperanto in Danzig Free City, July 28 to August 3, 1927, was remarkably successful. One thousand delegates came from thirty-five countries; this was Jubilee year of this international language. If one considers the slowness of progress in evolution, forty years is not a long time in comparison with the development of mankind, yet in this short space, Esperanto has almost conquered the world. The Pyramids of Egypt have remained silent forty centuries! What may not be accomplished if for forty centuries Esperanto, this universal language, calls aloud to international understanding!
There were greetings and salutations by representatives of governments, state ministers sent by kings, but the message from Shoghi Effendi was considered by all who know the Bahá’í Movement as the most important, standing above that of kings and statesmen, because it was a message of a spiritual movement which is the most perfect realization of the Esperanto idea, and of which the Esperanto idea is one part. Like Esperanto, the Bahá’í Movement is super-national, super-religious. It is the spirit of brotherhood of which Esperanto is the language of communication. Universal brotherhood needs a universal language and Esperanto is this language. The greetings from Shoghi Effendi, great-grand-son of Bahá’u’lláh who, more than fifty years ago prophesied and commanded a universal language, was most impressive. No king, no minister of any government can compete with the representative of the spiritual reign founded by Bahá’u’lláh—this spirit of universal love and unity which lies in the Bahá’í Movement. His letter which was read to one thousand delegates at the formal opening of the Congress is as follows:
- Haifa, Palestine, April 17, 1927.
To the delegates and friends attending the Nineteenth Universal Congress of Esperanto:
My dear fellow-workers in the service of humanity:
I take great pleasure in addressing you, on the occasion of the opening of the Nineteenth Universal Congress of Esperanto in Danzig, and in wishing you from all my heart the fullest success in the great work you are doing for the promotion of the good of humanity.
It will interest you, I am sure, to learn, that as the result of the repeated and emphatic admonitions of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, His many followers even in the distant villages and hamlets of Persia, where the light of Western civilization has hardly penetrated as yet, as well as in other lands throughout the East, are strenuously and enthusiastically engaged in the study and teaching of Esperanto, for whose future they cherish the highest hopes.
I am voicing the sentiments of the unnumbered followers of the Faith throughout the world, when I offer you through this letter, the cordial expression of our sincere best wishes and fervent prayers for the success of your noble end.
- Yours faithfully,
- Shoghi.
Another interesting feature was the planting of the oak tree in a new square which has been named “Esperanto Ground.” Esperantists were all invited to bring earth from their homelands for this ceremony. Nearly all of the thousand delegates brought their national earths as a symbol of the oneness of mankind and the internationality of this language. The writer had requested and received earth from the Tombs of the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Haifa and ‘Akká, Palestine, sent by the Greatest Holy Leaf, [Page 270]
daughter of Bahá’u’lláh; earth was also received from the Roy C. Wilhelm grove in West Englewood, New Jersey, where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had stood when He spoke to the New York City friends and believers from many lands.
This oak tree truly symbolizes the creation of Zamenhof, for it is nourished by the whole earth, by every nation. This is fitting, for Esperanto comes from the universal spirit and must be nourished by the universal spirit. This is surely the first time in history that such a monument has been erected.
A tree generally requires three essentials, sun, rain and soil. There is one sun which gives warmth and light to every plant. There is one rain gathering and falling down. There have been many soils, American, English, German, French. But now a tree has been planted on one soil, not belonging to one nation but to all humanity. It is now one soil, for the roots of this tree are to be nourished by all. This is a sign that the nationalities of peoples can be over-bridged, that religions and races can be united. There was the precious earth from the Tombs of the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Bahá’ís and Persians; there was earth from the tomb of Zamenhof, a Jew, our dear author of Esperanto. Falling with the gifts was earth from San Souci Garden of Frederick the Great, atheist of Potsdam, Germany, the Ruler who arose and declared: “In my country everybody can become blessed in his own way. Everyone is free to believe what he wishes; if he is a good man, I do not care whether he is a Jew, a Catholic or a Protestant.” Anyone who knows a little of history and has a feeling of what will come, realizes that in this century a new race is being formed.
One session of this Congress was devoted to the pronunciation of the language. Only four were present who had attended the first Universal Congress of Esperanto held in Boulogne, summer of 1907. They stated that at that first Congress the fellow-thinkers pronounced the language, just a little differently one from another, because each one had studied it by himself and had never heard anyone else speak it. There had been no contact between the different countries. Now gradually by contact not only the words and expressions but even the pronunciation tend towards unification, so that the universal spirit of the language conquers even the different tongues, the different pronunciations. So when Esperantists entered this International Parliament, it was like coming into a National Parliament as far as language was concerned, one did not notice that different nations were present. It was a most interesting demonstration and shows that later when the universal spirit prevails everywhere, how like one family the world will become.
The two Bahá’í sessions as part of this great Congress were well attended and many Esperantists left their addresses asking that the speeches be sent to them later. Among the guests were Miss Lydia Zamenhof, youngest daughter of the creator of Esperanto, Dr. Ludovik Zamenhof; Mr. Carl Lindhagen, Mayor of Stockholm; Mrs. Anna Tuschinsky, pioneer of Esperanto in Danzig; several members of the International Language Committee and some members of the International Academy. Bahá’í Assemblies from six countries sent telegrams of salutations to this Congress. Dr. August Forel, the great scientist of Switzerland, sent the following telegram: “My dear friends, with all my heart I send you my warmest best wishes for your Nineteenth Universal Congress of Esperanto and for your Bahá’í Esperanto sessions. Long live Esperanto! Long live the super-national religion, Bahá! Long live the social universal good!”
The speech of Dr. Ernest Kliemke, President of the Esperanto Association of Germany, on “The Cultural Principles of the Bahá’í Movement” will be translated from Esperanto into English.
The Twentieth Universal Congress of Esperanto will be held next year in Antwerp, Belgium, and in 1929 in Budapest, Hungary.
