|
Paris Talks
|
Pages 155-157
|
|
THE EIGHTH PRINCIPLE--UNIVERSAL PEACE
4 Avenue de Camöens, Paris
| |
1 |
A Supreme Tribunal shall be established by the
peoples and Governments of every nation, composed
of members elected from each country and
Government. The members of this Great Council shall
assemble in unity. All disputes of an international
character shall be submitted to this Court, its work
being to arrange by arbitration everything which
otherwise would be a cause of war. The mission of
this Tribunal would be to prevent war.
| |
2 |
One of the great steps towards universal peace
would be the establishment of a universal language.
Bahá'u'lláh commands that the servants of humanity
should meet together, and either choose a language
which now exists, or form a new one. This was revealed
in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas forty years ago. It is there
pointed out that the question of diversity of tongues
is a very difficult one. There are more than eight
hundred languages in the world, and no person could
acquire them all.
| |
3 |
The races of mankind are not isolated as in former
days. Now, in order to be in close relationship with all
countries it is necessary to be able to speak their
tongues.
| |
4 |
A universal language would make intercourse possible
with every nation. Thus it would be needful to
know two languages only, the mother tongue and the
universal speech. The latter would enable a man to
communicate with any and every man in the world!
| |
5 |
A third language would not be needed. To be able
to talk with a member of any race and country without
requiring an interpreter, how helpful and restful to all!
| |
6 |
Esperanto has been drawn up with this end in view:
it is a fine invention and a splendid piece of work, but
it needs perfecting. Esperanto as it stands is very
difficult for some people.
| |
7 |
An international Congress should be formed, consisting
of delegates from every nation in the world,
Eastern as well as Western. This Congress should form
a language that could be acquired by all, and every
country would thereby reap great benefit.
| |
8 |
Until such a language is in use, the world will continue
to feel the vast need of this means of intercourse.
Difference of speech is one of the most fruitful causes
of dislike and distrust that exists between nations,
which are kept apart by their inability to understand
each other's language more than by any other reason.
| |
9 |
If everybody could speak one language, how much
more easy would it be to serve humanity!
| |
10 |
Therefore appreciate `Esperanto', for it is the beginning
of the carrying out of one of the most important
of the Laws of Bahá'u'lláh, and it must continue to be
improved and perfected.
| |
|