February 12, 1913
Paris Esperanto group
Paris, France
In the material world of existence, human undertakings are
divided into two kinds universal and specific. The result of every universal
effort is infinite and the outcome of every specific effort is finite.
In this age, those human problems which create a general
interest are universal; their results are likewise universal, for humanity has
become interdependent. The international laws of today are of vast importance
since international politics are bringing nations nearer to one another. It is
a general axiom that in the world of human endeavor, every universal affair
commands attention and its results and benefits are limitless. Therefore, let
us say that every universal cause is divine and every specific matter is human.
The universal light for this planet is from the sun and the special light here
tonight, which is electric, illumines this banquet hall through the invention
of man. In like manner the activities which are trying to establish solidarity
between the nations and infuse the spirit of universalism in the hearts of the
children of men are like unto divine rays from the Sun of Reality, and the
brightest ray is the coming of the universal language. Its achievement is the greatest
virtue of the age, for such an instrument will remove misunderstandings from
among the peoples of the earth and will cement their hearts together. This
medium will enable each individual member of the human family to be informed of
the scientific accomplishments of all his fellowmen.
No doubt you are aware that in the past ages a common
language shared by various nations created a spirit of solidarity among them.
For instance, 1300 years ago, there were many divergent nationalities in the
Orient. There were Copts in Egypt, Syrians in Syria, Assyrians and Babylonians
in Baghdad and along the River Mesopotamia. There existed among these peoples
rank hatred, but as they were gradually brought nearer through common
protection and common interests, the Arabic language grew to be the means of intercommunication,
and they became as one nation. They all speak the Arabic language to this day.
In Syria if you ask any one of them he will say, "I am an Arab,"
though in reality he is not -- some are Greeks, others Jews, etc.
We say "This man is a German, the other an Italian, a
Frenchman, an Englishman," etc. All belong to the great human family, yet
language is the barrier between them. The greatest working basis for bringing
about unity and harmony among the nations is the teaching of a universal tongue.
Writing on this subject years ago, His Holiness Baha’u’llah said that complete
union between the various sections of the world would be an unrealized dream as
long as an international language was not established.
Misunderstandings keep people from mutual association and
these misunderstandings will not be dispelled except through the medium of a
common ground of communication. Every intelligent man will bear testimony to
this.
The people of the Orient are not fully informed of the
events in the West and the West cannot put itself into sympathetic touch with
the East. Their thoughts are closed in a casket -- the universal language will
be the master key to open it. Western books will be translated into that
language and the Easterner will be informed of the contents; likewise Eastern
lore will become the property of the West. Thus also will those
misunderstandings which exist between the different religions be dispersed.
Religious prejudices play havoc among the peoples and bring about warfare and strife
and it is impossible to remove them without a language in common.
I am an Oriental and on this account I am shut out from your
thoughts and you like wise from mine. A mutual language will become the
mightiest means of universal progress toward the union of the East and West. It
will make the earth one home and become the divine impulse for human
advancement. It will upraise the standard of oneness of the world of humanity
and make the earth a universal commonwealth. It will be the cause of love between
the children of men and create good fellowship between the various creeds.
Praise be to God, that Dr. Zamenhof has constructed the
Esperanto language. It has all the potential qualities of universal adoption.
All of us must be grateful and thankful to him for his noble effort for in this
matter he has served his fellowmen well. He has constructed a language which
will bestow divine benefits on all peoples. With untiring efforts and
self-sacrifice on the part of its devotees it gives promise of universal
acceptation. Therefore, every one of us must study this language and make every
effort to spread it so that each day it may receive a wider recognition, be
accepted by all nations and governments of the world and become a part of the
curriculum in all the public schools.
I hope that the business of the future conferences and
congresses will be carried on in Esperanto. In the future two languages will be
taught in the schools, one the native tongue, the other the international
auxiliary language. Consider today how difficult is human communication. One
may study languages and yet travel through a country and still be at a loss. I,
myself, know several of the Oriental languages, but know no Western tongue. Had
this universal language pervaded the globe, I should have studied it and you
would have been directly informed of my thoughts and I of yours and a special
friendship would have been established between us.
Please send some teachers to Persia, if you can, so that
they may teach Esperanto to the young people. I have written asking some of
them to come here to study it.
I hope that it will be promulgated very rapidly -- then the
world of humanity will find eternal peace; all the nations will associate with
one another like mothers and sisters, fathers and brothers, and each individual
member of the body politic will be fully informed of the thoughts of all.
I am extremely grateful to you and thank you for these lofty
aims, for you have gathered at this banquet to further this language.
Your hope is to render a mighty service to the world of
humanity and for this great aim I congratulate you from the depths of my heart.
(Star of the West, vol. 4, no. 2, April 9, 1913)
