At Essex Hall, on Jan. 14, as announced in The Esperantist, the members and friends of the London Esperanto Club held their annual meeting. And consequently the report of this meeting demands much space. In order that other interesting matter should not be limited, the usual short grammar is left out. I hope readers will approve of this. The Club’s President, Felix Moscheles, Esq., opened the meeting by a long and interesting speech in Esperanto. He said:—

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The first words I say in this first annual meeting must, undoubtedly, be spoken in the language created by our illustrious master, Doctor Zamenhof. And the first thought which occurs to me is the most happy one that we may congratulate ourselves on the successes which we have gained. But the joy I now feel must not silence the second thought which reminds us of everything which we still have to do. We must, and for a long time, yes, for long years, keep on fighting against the rooted prejudices of many of our fellow-countrymen, and we also have to contend against the obstructing ignorance of those who, till now, have not heard the voice of our prized language.

The manner in which our opponents treat our efforts calls to mind the tale of a certain German deputy who, interrupting the speech of the Minister, cried out, "I do not know your arguments, but I thoroughly disapprove of them." So also are the tactics of those who continually endeavour to hinder the world’s progress, and who bear an especial ill-will against our valued Esperanto. "We do not know your language," these are ever proclaiming, "but we thoroughly disapprove of it!" Now, blind critics of that sort cannot disconcert us. Our motto is "Forwards," and this other saying of the glorious Galileo: "And nevertheless it moves." And now we naturally ask why we, Members of the London Esperanto Club, can look into the future with so much confidence. We do not resemble that deputy; we seek for the causes and weigh the arguments of things. "Happy that man," says Virgil, "who has been able to discover the causes of things."

Why may we be confident as to the continued growth and prosperity of our Club? Since it has succeeded so very well during the first year of its existence, we must ask why it has thus succeeded. Here is the answer to that question. It has succeeded because its members are filled with fervour, and are ready to labour ceaselessly to spread the language. We possess among our members many Esperantists who have very greatly helped us in teaching Esperanto without charge, in holding classes in various parts of London, of England, and even of the whole world; for many of our members are inhabitants of distant lands. We are confident because we have a Secretary (the sentences following the Editor is compelled by modesty to delete, as he is also the Hon. Sec).

I, for my part, believe I am the only blamable member of the Club, as I have only assisted it by the ordinary daily propaganda. Nevertheless, I rejoice to state that not infrequently have I succeeded in enrolling recruits for our Cause from among the incredulous. Nobody can interest himself more than I about the purpose of our Club. From my childhood—now a very remote period—I have continually been seeking out means for making the various nations of the earth acquainted with one another, and to cause them to unite instead of hating and killing each other. The most powerful means for dispelling the darkness which surrounds us, the ever-powerful instrument for uniting the various nations of the earth, is the International Language.

Do not forget, then, dear fellow-thinkers and friends, that, in working for the cause of the international language, we are devoting ourselves to a blessed and a holy aim; we are striving for the happiness of future generations, and for the amelioration of the civilised world.

At the termination of this interesting speech the Vice-President, J. C. O’Connor, Esq., read a letter from the Treasurer, W. T. Stead, Esq., who was not able to be present on account of a slight illness. Mr. O’Connor also said a few words in English on the rapid progress Esperanto has made amongst us.

Then the Hon. Secretary read a Report of the Club’s affairs, which will be sent to all Members.

Miss Lawrence then gave us two interesting letters. One was from Mr. Geoghegan, in Alaska, for which, unfortunately, we have not space. The other was from Dr. Zamenhof, once more accentuating the fact that, if printers have not the accents over Esperanto letters, they may always substitute the accents by the letter "H" (ch, gh, hh, sh, jh), and that the accent over the "U" need not be printed. This will, possibly, help our Cause.

The Members of some other Societies, who wished to unite with us, were added to the London Esperanto Club; and the official part of the meeting terminated with a flourish, for our dear Chief, Dr. Zamenhof himself, had sent us a speech on the phonograph.

The use of phonographs is certainly an important means of studying the pronunciation of Esperanto, and those who have access to them will be wise in getting Esperanto records. Mr. Rees, of the Modern Language Press, 13, Paternoster Row, London, kindly came to prove this fact by means of Dr. Zamenhof’s record, and another one from The Esperantist. I had already copied the speech which Dr. Zamenhof thus kindly sent before the transcript arrived. This fact will prove to sceptical people that our Chief’s words in Warsaw were quite intelligible to us in London.

Esteemed Ladies and Gentlemen,

Not having the power of participating in person in the first annual meeting of the London Esperanto Club, I send by phonograph my hearty greeting to all participants in the meeting. In my imagination I picture to myself that I now sit with you, esteemed English friends to the idea of an international language, and I rejoice with you at the fine fruits which your energetic continuous labour has given in the course of the past year. One year ago our Cause was still but little known in your land, and now we already have in your land very many most warm and sincere friends; we have various Esperanto groups, we have permanent Esperanto classes, we have a beautiful Esperanto Gazette. Almost all this is the fruit of the labour of the London Club, which may be proud of the result of its first year’s endeavours. To the noble and energetic conductors and workers of the London Esperanto Club our Cause owes most hearty thanks.

In speaking of the successes of the London Club I must not forget that little Esperantist circle in Keighley, which gave a start to our movement in England. Our hearty greeting to the Keighley Esperantists.

The entire world observes with very great interest the work of the London Esperanto Club. We all hope and anticipate that, sooner or later, London will become one of the most important centres of our Cause for the whole world. London has for a long time slept; but when it awakens it will be as the awakening of a lion. A mighty voice will issue forth from London, and will sound and resound in all parts of the earth. The nations will listen with attention to the voice issuing from the centre of the English-speaking world. When such a powerful nation as the English begins speaking of the brotherhood of nations and the neutrality of international relations, the world will applaud with enthusiasm, and that sacred Cause for which we contend will march forward with great strides. Esperantists in London, Esperantists in England, work courageously and energetically. Difficult, very difficult, is the sowing, but sweet and blessed will be the fruits. Great and important is your rÔle. The whole Esperantist world watches you and hopes much from you.

This speech greatly pleased the audience, who most heartily thanked the Doctor for his kind greeting. Mr. Motteau, with three others, sang most effectively his beautiful hymn "Espero" (printed on the page 16 of The Esperantist), and all joined in the chorus with enthusiasm. After many short speeches and a pretty poem recited by Miss SchÄfer, the meeting came to an end, and all the participants returned home thinking how to help the spread of Esperanto in England, and throughout the world.

HOW TO FOUND AN ESPERANTO GROUP.

The founding of an Esperanto Group, so that it should be successful, demands much organising ability, boundless enthusiasm, great patience, and firm determination that the group shall prosper, in spite of the difficulties which stand in its path.

Undoubtedly the creation of such a society or group will cause you an amount of work which anyone other than an enthusiast would justly name slavery. In reckoning up the correspondence, the writing of articles, and the accomplishing of everything we can do to gain the attention of the sceptical public, besides the enrolling of other adherents in order to gain their coÖperation, the work is truly endless. But, on the other hand, the results of your trouble are recompense far greater than the cost, for, among other things, one becomes acquainted with many interesting persons, is present at many edifying lectures, classes, etc., and, besides this, one enjoys a number of other advantages which are well worth, the labour expended.

Of course it is hardly necessary to say that your great exertions certainly do not cease when you have founded the group. In fact, they have only just commenced.

One will always find in a new movement like Esperanto many persons who will willingly take it up while the interest lasts, which is generally aroused by any novelty; but, as soon as it ceases to be talked about, they quietly let it drop. Of such members one must take especial care; should any one of them discontinue attending the classes or seem to lose interest in the subject, write a short letter or pay him a call to assure him that the group needs his coÖperation.

Now, as regards the modus operandi for founding a group.

In the first place, there is the Public Press, an institution whose uses in such a movement as this are absolutely essential. It will give us the only effectual means for spreading Esperanto among the general public. I advise personal interviews with Editors, the majority of whom are already interested in matters linguistic, and I believe you will not encounter any difficulty in discussing Esperanto with them, and in finally obtaining their promise of support. Articles giving a sketch of the movement from its commencement, also examples for illustrating its uses for commerce, literature, and society must be submitted. As often as possible correspondence pro and con should be initiated.

Now that our cause really begins to move in this land, (excuse me if I take the present opportunity to say how remarkable, in my opinion, is the progress it has already made when one considers that scarcely twelve months have passed since its commencement), I am certain that many Esperantists will be found in various parts of Britain who most willingly will give their support to the movement by writing letters to the Press in favour of the foundation of any Club, Group, or Society. Such correspondence will doubtless prove that there exist many opponents to our proposal. This is inevitable in any new scheme, and their adverse comments must be politely listened to, and instructively refuted by any of us who possess the necessary capability for such work. Let us ever bear in mind that this opposition is to us of far greater worth than apathy and indifference.

Having aroused, for a time, interest in the subject, and thus having caused a certain section of the public to become desirous of learning more about it, give a public lecture on the theme of an Auxiliary International language. The Chairman should be someone of local eminence.

Announcements of the meeting must be printed in the local Press. It would also be well to seek the support of the various Literary Institutions of the neighbourhood, and, having arranged the meeting, to send to every Secretary, for distribution to the members, bills announcing its date, place, and purpose.

At the termination of the lecture invite discussion, and then and there announce the foundation of the new Group (obviously the rules, proposals, etc., must be drawn up beforehand), fix the title of the Group, define its purpose, and elect its officers, etc. This done, ask your audience to at once become members.

The subscription must be so small as to form no obstacle to anyone’s joining.

These are the chief principles by which I have founded the Society whose Hon. Secretary I am, but certainly not without having had the valuable coÖperation of the other members (of whom the present Committee is composed), and also that of the indefatigable Hon. Secretary of the Esperanto Club, the Editor of this Gazette.

I sincerely hope that these few remarks will be useful to Friends-in-Esperanto, and that they will be encouraged to found Groups in those localities, where none at present exist.

H. W. Clephan.