Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-12-19
French Smoked Out
BY Lord RiddeU


page "a high authority" lie is also
"a wellinformed source" lie is also
the man from whom lit was learned
today
But behind his anonymity he does as
much to make and break international
relations as do the serious gentlemen
who sit behind closed doors and pledge
each never, no never, to reveal what
takes place in conclave. knowing full
well that the leak is leaking profusely
in the building just across the street.
Lord Riddcll defended himself today
from criticism of imperiling the La
fayette, nous voici !" sentiment between
France and this great republic, SO am
at liberty to brush aside the leaves and
reveal this modest violet for moment.
just as he is about to sail for England
after having done service for the en-
pire which should entitle him to be
elevated from his present rank, what
ever it Is, TO a dukedom.
a Generous Reporter"
You may take it from him that he Is
quite unofficial. He has no connection
with the British Government. lie is
only newspaper man like the rest OF
us, having, though he was too modest
to say so, better sources OF information
tnan the rest OF us.
Reporters have habit of getting to-
gcther and swapping bits Of informa-
tion and 80 building up a story. Rid
dell does this, out Of the generosity of
his heart, and in the swap he does all
the giving.
\ foe to secrecy in diplomacy, he is
the 'Open' in "open covenants openly
arrived at" so long as he lives and
attends world conferences, which he al
ways does at the request of Lloyd
George, who appreciates his talents as
n reporter and his usefulness to the
press Of the world, there will never
again be any secret treaties.
give this picture of Lord Riddpl
by authority, making no attempt, how
ever, to quote.
But there he stands, journalist
among journalists, gaily swapping in
formation for attention, joking, laugh
Ing, discussing the intriCacicS of world
relations on the level of American jour.
naliStir intelligence. Everybody who
has had to write story day loves
him, for 80 far us the truth has come
out at this gathering of diplomats, it
has come out through Riddell.
Naturally along with the truth has
come out much Of Lord Riddcll's point
of view. He is not Il coIorlcss medium
The color Is not official. Dear no, he
Is only one of us, Il reporter like the
rest but British reporter is little
Jewel Of the empire, glittrring in the
sun, emitting imperial rays of light for
the illumination of those who might
otherwise be in darkness. They all are
precisely like Riddcll.
The Supreme Achievement
Take Mr.. II. G., Wells, who writes
scornfully in his "Outlinc Of History
that nation is something which desires
TO be afflicted with a foreign office. You
mention submarines, or a big fleet for
France and this internatiOna list becomes
more BritOn that shall never be Il slave
than even RiddCll himself. If some one
mentions the accurSed word prOpuganda
consider the case Of Wells and RlddeII
the chief reporter, who swan stories
with us at Washington.
Take the two Of them. They have n
vast circulation, Riddel the largest cir
culatiOn ever man had in the history
Of the world or ever will have again.
and Wells through his syndicate, one
OF large proportions.
Then almost every other British cor
respondent here has his writings over
his own name, unlike Riddcll in this
respect, in all the American press,
Again say, the supreme diplomatic
achievement Of the Conference has been
British publicity, for, like the man who
cared not what laws a nation made. if
he might write its songs, ! care not
who the big three may be If may be
the RiddclI,