Hudson High School - True Blue Yearbook (Hudson, WI)

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12 TRUE BLUE Developement of Languages By Clarence Johnson. In the beginning of the seventeenth century French was the language of diplomacy. It was the language that educated men of differing languages were most apt to be able to converse in. To- day the French is fast losing its prestage and English is the language that is superseding it. It is not so much the fitness of a language that gives it world wide acceptance as it is the vigor and energy of the people using it. Earlier in the history of the world it was the Latin tongue that found wide acceptance because the Romans were a conquering na- tion. It was the energy of the French that gave their language wide acceptance. In the coming centuries the contest of languages will be be- tween the English and Russians. The number of people speaking Russian is underestimated and the increase in the population of that country is not realized by Americans. The Siberian railroad has opened up a vast area and population is pouring in. The English language is fortunate in that it is a simple lan- guage gramatically. It has dropped the complications of construc- tion which young languages have. This makes it easy to acquire by word of mouth. This language is unfortunate in one thing and that is its spelling. Tnis is being gradually reformed. If it is to be reformed it will be the task of the Americans to do it for the English people are too conservative. Russian is still prim alive in its forms and grammar and will find it hard to reform since printing has been invented. Printing tends to crystallize a language in its present form. In making English the language of diplomacy the world over the Americans will have no small part. The Progress of the Languages. By Clarence E. Johnson. Clarence Johnson, in his essay, worked out the progress the English language had been making toward becoming a World lan- guage. He pointed out that Latin at one time was the language of diplomatic communication between civilized Nations. This was

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TRUK HLUK 11 I he Isthmian Canal Question. By WaT.TKR llKLL. In his oration on tlie “The Isthmian Canal,” Walter Bell brought out the thought that it is the duty of every government to aspire to become a power among Nations. Advantage must be taken of every opportunity to advance. He argues that a canal connecting the two great oceans is one of the means by which the United States may grow in power. Years igo the practicability of such a waterway was conceived, but only recently was the question of an Isthmian canal agitated. The vast commerce with the Orient, and our late war with Spain has made manifest the importance of a short route between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Perhaps a canal would have been built long ago were it not for the fact that Great Britain has blocked every move in that direction. In spite of persistent efforts to the contrary, England has claimed, on account of the Claj'ton Bulwer Treaty, a right for joint control of any canal built across Panama. Continental Railroads, reaping rich harvests; have also used every possible means to prevent the building of a canal. However, since the United States has secured the Philippine Islands, it has become absolutely necessary that a canal through the Isthmus and under control of our government, be constructed. Recently a treaty has been made with Great Britain, whereby we get control of any such canal built. At present two routes are under consideration; one is through Nicaragua, and the other across the Isthmus of Panama. Both routes have their advantages, but taking all things into considera- tion the Panama route seems to be the best. The actual time of transit through a canal across Panama would be 21 hours shorter than any other. Railroads traverse the Isthmus, thus aiding in transporting men and supplies for construction. Being 134 miles shorter than the Nicaraguan route, the first cost as well as the ex- pense of maintenance would be considerably lessened. Panama has a good harbor on each ocean, while Nicaragua has none. In view of these facts it is hoped that our legislators will come to a wise and speedy consideration as to choice of routes, and make the necessary appropriations for completing a canal.

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TRUE BLUE 13 because of the energy and vigor of the people who used it. They at one time controlled the civilized world, and when the Empire fell the language remained. Next in turn came the French lan- guage, which was so well adapted for polite communication. How- ever, the English language is fast supplanting the French. The spread of the English language, like that of the Latin, is due to the nature of the people who use it. The two languages which in the future are going to battle for supremacy are the Russian and the English. Both the English speaking people and those who speak Russian, are people of energy and rigor. English is better adapted for a World language than Russian. Every language in its infancy is complicated, and has many inflections and various forms. As a language growrs in age it becomes more simple and drops superficial endings. This was more true before the age of printing. It is almost impossible to lop off unnecessary forms now. Printing has practically crystali- zed languages in their present form. Russian is one of the most complicated of languages, very difficult to acquire, while English is easy of acquisition by word of mouth. English spelling is, how- ever, extremely confusing, and from the written page it is very difficult to learn. The hope of French becoming the World lan- guage was shattered when Clive seized India, and Wolf defeated Montcalm. At the present rate of increase in a short time civilized people speaking English and Russian will far outnumber those speaking any other language. It cannot be expected that the population of the United States will continue to increase so phenomenally, for its astonishing increase has been due to large immigration of peo- ple speaking a different language. This cannot continue. On the other hand the building of the Siberian railroad is open- ing an outlet for the overflow of population of Russia, and many from other lands are pouring into the newly opened territory. Doubtless the outpouring of Germans hitherto directed chiefly toward the United States will be directed towards South Africa. The English speaking people have divided into two branches, the British Empire and the United States. The latter branch is going to play a prominent part in spreading the English language over the world. It is our duty then to keep it pure and vigorous.