ESPERANTO—A CLOSED INCIDENT

When I started the Esperanto feature in THE CAVALIER, I sat down on a porcupine. Far be it from me to engage in a controversy inspired by a conscientious effort to supply what I imagined to be a pretty wide-spread demand. Since I stopped the feature, I have received some letters from students of Esperanto reproaching me. I stated at the outset that it was merely an experiment, one that I would continue if the majority approved. Well, the majority did not approve. That in the long and the short of it. If I published all the correspondence, the ensuing controversy would be interminable. If you will pardon me now, I will go back in my cage, pick a few porcupine quills out of my person, and get ready for the next issue, which will be in English.

SOURCE: Editor [Bob Davis]. “Esperanto—A Closed Incident,” in “Heart to Heart Talks” [letters column, pp. 758-761], The Cavalier, vol. 25, no. 4, February 22, 1913, p. 761. Photographic images of entire column depicted.

This farewell message to Esperanto appeared the week following the conclusion of the test series of 5 stories published with Esperanto translations of the English originals, which itself followed the August 10, 1912 publication of the story “In 2112” by J. U. Giesy & J. B. Smith with Esperanto translation by Elmer E. Haynes. An editorial statement in English was appended to the last Esperanto translation in the February 15 issue: “Farewell to Esperanto.”

For links to all the English originals and Esperanto translations and more information, see:

The Cavalier: Covers & Contents

J. U. Giesy (John Ulrich, 1877-1948) & His Collaborators

Esperanto in The Scrap Book, April - June 1907
(with 2 articles by D. O. S. Lowell)

“Farewell to Esperanto”
by Bob Davis, the Editor
(The Cavalier, 15 Feb 1913)

“In 2112” (1912) by J. U. Giesy & J. B. Smith

“En 2112” (1912) by J. U. Giesy & J. B. Smith,
translated into Esperanto by Elmer E. Haynes, M.D.

“In 2112,” by J. U. Giesy & J. B. Smith,
translated from Esperanto by Forrest J. Ackerman

Elmer E. Haynes & John A. Morris on J. U. Giesy et al in the pulps (1915)

Esperanto in early science fiction to 1930 by Everet F. Bleiler

J. U. Giesy (John Ulrich, 1877-1948) & His Collaborators

Esperanto & Interlinguistics Study Guide / Retgvidilo pri Esperanto & Interlingvistiko

Philosophical and Universal Languages, 1600-1800, and Related Themes: Selected Bibliography

Sciencfikcio & Utopia Literaturo en Esperanto / Science Fiction & Utopian Literature in Esperanto:
Gvidilo / A Guide

Science Fiction & Utopia Research Resources: A Selective Work in Progress

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