TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE 



THE scientific attitude of mind is necessarily critical, 

 but never sceptical without proper investigation and know- 

 ledge. The Translator hopes, therefore, that English- 

 speaking men of science will not judge the question of 

 international language before they have quietly and dis- 

 passionately examined the arguments so ably set forth in 

 the following pages. It is not a question of " another 

 language " ; it is a question of the final solution by the 

 methods of science of one of the greatest of scientific 

 problems. 



Internationalisation of thought is the motto of the 

 twentieth century, the device on the banner of progress. 

 Science, the Super-Nation of the world, must lead the way 

 in this as in all other things. Amidst the clangour and the 

 clamour of political and commercial strife, the quiet empire 

 of knowledge grows, noiseless and unseen. Let all those 

 who believe that this peaceful empire is destined to become 

 the controlling force of the world assist in the attunement 

 of its common language. 



The Translator wishes to thank his friend and colleague, 

 Professor J. P. Postgate, for having very kindly revised the 

 translation of Chapters III. and IV. 



F. G. DONNAN. 



UNIVERSITY OF LIVERPOOL, 

 March, 1910. 



