Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-12-17
How | Won
By GROVER S. GRIFFIN
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association.


tastes and facility for writing.
soon found that the principal ingredi-
ent In the success of newspaper man.
especialIy while on the lower runss OF
the ladder, is getting ahead OF the
other fellows. 1 soon tired OF the
routine work of collecting news and
was thinking OF giving up Journalism
when something happened; in other
words, my opportunity arrived.
The president OF the United States
proposed 10 Russia and japan. who
were then at war. 10 settle their diff
ferences. \ meeting was called be-
tween the representatives OF the two
nations 10 meet ut Portsmouth. Our
American newspapers are not used az
they are in Europe to getting ahead
OF one another in news of matters per-
tanning TO government and diplomacy
or my opportunity would not have &C.
Cured at THIS time. for was very
young, had no acquaintance calculated
to give me advance news and had not
distinguished myself in my profession
The managing editor OF an obscure
paper sent me 10 Portsmouth simply
TO transmit the news as 1t came out.
with comments on the crowds and de-
scriptions of the distinguished partici-
pants.
But a Wild dream came into my
head. Ii occurred to me that If
alone among several hundred newsra-
per correspondents could get at the
treaty Of peace. II one were made, and
telegraph IL to my paper so that It
could be published before any other
paper published 1t might make my
self famous as a newspaper man. And
here opportunity came in again to help
me. On my Journey 10 Portsmouth |
Travelled On the same train as one OF
the Russian representatives. he nae
with him a number Of attendants. con
s.sting ssof secretaries. stenographers
and servants l made the acquaint-
ence OF several of the suit. and 1t &C.
Cured to me that l might possibly
make deal with some one or them 10
give me the news for consideration.
I doubt IL 1 should have attempted 10
get anything out of japanese in thar
fashion. but I knew that Russian
was much more amenable to the per
suasion of funds.
1 fell into conversation with one.
whom shall cal, Potsdoff. copyist-
gave him a cigar and several drinks
from my flask. I explained to him
nv desire and found willing listener.
/ ended by Offering him $50 II he could
get NE the treaty. should one be made.
in time TO send 1t to my paper for
notification ahead Of all other jour
mails.
Ii may seem remarkable that
should have offered SO small sum FOR
such valuable prize The truth is
offered him all the money that had
been given for my expenses after pay
ing for my tickets. and he had no
knowledge OF where he could sell his
information elsewhere. Besides TINS.
when the deal was made neither OF US
dreamed that there would be any sr'-
cess in our efforts. We bad plenty or
time on the train 10 concoct any
scheme that might be necessary Tor
the transmission % information from
him to me. This was the most DELI
cate mart Of our work. for after the
convention once met and proceeded
with It's deliberations any possessing
its secrets would be watched carefully.
The plan-sNc adopted was this;
would take ono meal day at the no.
tel where Potsdoa's master put up
would wait outside the dining room
until saw Poisslor go In. then go in
myseif and. going out before him. pick
up his nat Instead Of my own. he later
taking mine NJ the next meal we
would change hats back again.
Well. the convention met and began
TIA deliberations. Potsdoff aud | did
not have any need to change hats TIL
the articles OF the treaty were being
brought NJ for discussion Then as
soon "a an article was written out my
man. who was engaged In the work.
would put cory Of IT, written Oh
INN paper IN his nat anu
soon after lie its possesscr-
was IN continuous state OF anx-
iety lest tie plenipotentiaries should
fsn to agree and should have al nv
trouble for nothing. Resides. I fancied
that u treaty were made and Of
fered Il 81 telegraph ONCE IN Fer's-
mouth in advance % its release
would not ~ able 20 get u through Z
therefore resolved. 10 did get r. ]
would take a train for some small
plsre distant from Portsmouth anc
telegraph 81 from there.
Finally the ccnvension began dis
cussing the articles one by orc. Evcry
tine an article was agreed 10 the sane
evening would end u written on;
.-t.af- e. ri~.f,u~ - fEo hat 4 rroutf