1922] on Auxiliary International Languages 551 



rised the appointment of delegates to confer with the Committee of 

 the National Research Council. Thus the national American repre- 

 sentatives of science and of the humanities are uniting to study the 

 problem. 



Both the French and the Italian Associations for the Advance- 

 ment of Science have appointed Committees to examine and report 

 on the international language question. 



On September loth, 1921, the following resolution was presented 

 to the Assembly of the League of Nations by delegates representing 

 twelve States : — 



" The League of Nations is well aware of the language difficulties 

 that prevent a direct intercourse between the peoples, and of the 

 urgent need of finding some practical means to remove this obstacle 

 and help the good understanding of nations. 



" Follows with interest the experiments of official teaching of the 

 international language Esperanto in the public schools of some 

 members of the League. 



" Hopes to see that teaching made more general in the whole 

 world, so that the children of all countries may know at least two 

 languages : their mother-tongue and an easy means of international 

 communication. 



" Asks the Secretary-General to prepare for the next Assembly a 

 report on the results reached in this respect." 



With regard to this motion, the special Committee dealing with 

 the inclusion upon the Agenda of Motions submitted to the x\ssembly 

 reported to that body on September 15th, 1921, as follows : — 



" The above-mentioned delegates have proposed the introduction 

 of Esperanto as an auxiliary international language into public 

 schools in order to facilitate direct intercourse between all nations 

 throughout the world. 



" The Committee are of opinion that this question, in which an 

 ever-increasing number of great States are interested, should be 

 attentively studied before it can be dealt with by the Assembly." 



As a result of this the Secretariat of the League have been 

 instructed to investigate the experiments already made, and ascertain 

 the actual results attained. 



On November 20th, 1919, some Swedish gentlemen interested 

 in the question of an international language formed a Committee to 

 promote this subject and to unite the various interests concerned. 

 This Committee has brought the matter before the Swedish Parlia- 

 ment, and has also addressed a request to the League of Nations. 



From all this it will be evident that the existence of the problem, 

 and the urgent necessity for its study and investigation, are now 

 fully admitted and recognised by the learned, scientific and political 

 organisations of the highest national and international status. Before 

 definite action can be taken by national governments there must be, 

 however, another period of prolonged and exhaustive research and 



