The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-12-23
LORD R|DDELL
GAVE ENGLAND
fine PUBLICITY
NobIeman Sails Home After
Dominating information Given
Out at Arms Farley.
BY POLITICUs.


Lord Riddell has sailed for Europe
His departure from Washington has
ended one of the most amazing chap
ters of the Arms Conference.
Lord Riddell came to Washington
without credentials to the United
States Government. He was not q
member of the British delegation nor
even one Of the advisers. He had no
official standing. Yet he played a
role in this world drama that was
but little below the rank Of the three
big stars Of the cast--Hughes, Bal
four and kato.
M. BRAND. premier of France. play
cd but minor part compared to this
unofficial British newspaper man.
For Lord Riddell participated in the
conference proceedings as the inspira-
tor and the informant Of three-fourths
Of the publicity which the conference
had in the newspapers of the world.
He did more than that. He maneu-
vered this publicity to further British
ends with a remarkable generalship;
he inspired 1t to thwart the plans Of
British foes with accurate strategy.
When important events were impend-
ing. he forecast them for the news.
paper men with q remarkable sense
of what II published. would best
serve British purposes.
II secret sessions dealt with i'm
portant questions and the keeping of
the secrets was vital to British sue
cess. Lord RiddeIl saw to 1t that
those secrets remained inviolate. But
II the disclosure OF secrets Of these
sessions would thwart the opposition
to British plan, Lord Riddell saw
to It that the disclosure was made.
lAIn 30
secrecy that had been taken by the
big three of by the various delega-
lions, Lord Riddell seemed to be
master Of the secrets and their
revelation repeatedly changed the
course OF the conference.
As a result. Lord Riddell was much
sought after by the newspaper men Of
all countries. Twice a day he met
these journalists In the rooms of the
british delegation and gave them the
best British information as to the
progress of the conference. forecasts
of Its plans. outlines of its proceed.
ings and revelations. small or large, of
its secrets. But always he had in
view the British purpose, and the dis
closures of the conference were the
most important part In the machinery
by which the British monopoiized pub
~ opiitoi. tAioh8hOol thC woiiot w
their own support in the conference.
1t Is interesting to speculate on
what would have happened IL the con-
ference had been held in London In
stead OF Washington. Let us suppose
that an international gathering were
convened IN London and that the
American delegates to It were accom-
panied by some man OF outstanding
rank in the American newspaper
world-let US say Frederick Roy
Martin. general manager of the 3Asso
ciated Press. Then suppose that Mr..
Martin were made a repository Of all
the secrets which the American dele
cation learned-not only American
secrets, but those of the conference
proceedings and of the other delega-
tons as well.
Then let us suppose that Mr..
Martin would formally announce that
he would see the newspaper men twice
daily to give them the benefit Of his
information" Suppose then that
there came to these conferences, not
only the American newspapermen but
the British writer's and the journal
lists from all the other nations at the
From their own delega-
tions and from the conference Of
ficials, the gathered correspondents
would have had but routine news.
Mr.. Martin, however. because Of rela-
tons Of confidence with the American
delegation, would be able from day to
day, to give them first page headlines
that would stun the world and startle
the conference itself.
Then let us suppose that q French
made a proposition whose
would overthrow the
American plans and
threaten the success Of the conference
itself. To avoid precipitate action on
this peril, the French, British and
American delegations would pledge
to secrecy until the diff
ficulties could be adjusted.
But suppose that Mr.. Martin. plac-
Ing American success above all other
in such q crisis. would
call the newspapermen and by his
revelation of the French proposal, I'M
loose against that country's delegation
the full power Of the press Of the
world.