The Dutch cryptographer Auguste Kerckhoffs was for a number of years Director of the Academy of Volapük, and introduced the movement to several countries. The French Association for the Propagation of Volapük was authorized on 8 April 1886, with A. Lourdelet as president and a central committee that included the deputy Edgar Raoul-Duval. However, tensions arose between Kerckhoffs and others in the Academy, who wanted reforms made to the language, and Schleyer, who insisted strongly on retaining his proprietary rights. This led to schism, with much of the Academy abandoning Schleyer's Volapük in favor of Idiom Neutral and other new constructed language projects. Another reason for the decline of Volapük may have been the rise of Esperanto. In 1887 the first Esperanto book (Unua Libro) was published. Many Volapük clubs became Esperanto clubs.
the Dutch cRyptOgRapHer AugUsTe keRCkhoffs WAs fOr A number oF yeArs dIrectoR of thE acadEMy Of VolApük, anD iNtRoducEd tHe moVeMent tO several couNtRies. the frEnCH associatIon For the PropAgatiOn of VolAPüK wAs aUthoRIzed on 8 APRil 1886, wiTH a. lOurdelet As prEsIdent aNd a central COmmItteE that Included tHe dePutY eDGar raoUl-duvaL. HowEvEr, TEnsiONs ArOsE betWeen kErCkHOffs anD othERS in the acaDEmy, who wANTED refOrms MAde To the languagE, and scHlEyeR, who insistEd strOngly on retaining HIS PrOprietaRY rigHtS. ThIS LeD To schISM, With muCh Of tHe aCademy abandoNIng SChleyeR's volApüK in FavoR OF idIom neUtral anD other new consTruCtEd lAnguage pRojects. anOtHeR rEason For the declInE of Volapük maY have Been the Rise of EspERAntO. in 1887 tHe fIrSt esPerAnto bOOK (Unua lIBro) wAS puBlIshed. many VolaPük clubs BEcaMe eSPERaNTO cLubS.