Imperial Valley press., 1922-08-14
PUBLISHER IS
LOSER IN
BATTLE
NOrthcliffe Succumbs to
Mysterious Malady Which
Battles Physicians
HAD GREAT POWER
Irishman Born in Obscurity
Becomes Leading Figure
In Europe

LONDON, Aug. 14-Viscount North.
cliffe died at 1912 this morning at
his residence at Carleton Gardens.
The famous English publisher, who
has been on the verge of death fol
over week, succumbed peacefully III
the roof top bed-ehamber which was
built to give him the benefit of all air
possible.
Northcliffe grew weaker throughout
the night aud scarcely opened his eyes
during the long vigil kept by physi-
clans and nurses from n hastily con
structed hut on the roof, beside his
chamber.
The publicst who has been fighting
for weeks against n mysterious malady
with which he was stricken on his trip
around the world or while incognito
in Germany this spring was scarcely
able to speak during his last hours.
Lord Northcliffe will be given q
public funeral Thursday noon with ser
vices at Westminster Abbey.
Distinguished Career
Alfred Charles William Harmsworth
Viscount Northcliffe, was the most in
fmential and most feared journalistic
figure in Europe. He was the owner of
over forty publications and welded
more power than many transatlantic
prime ministers.
lie taught the uneducated masses or
Great Britain to become newspaper
readers and he supplied the news for
the educated intellectuals as well. lie
raised the "hacks of Fleet street. to
positions of self-respect by paying
l., nd rII
prise lavshly. No other personality IN
European journalism has left behind 50
wide an influence as Northeliffe.
He was born July Is, 1865, in Dublin.
His father wanted him to study for the
law, but journalistic genius pressed
for expression and Northcliffe went to
London to seek his fortune in Fleet
street. After various experiments which
led him to believe in the democracy of
news he founded his greatest sue
ces. the London Daily Mail. Previously
TO Northcliffe s whirlwind appearance
in Fleet street, British journalism had
been a staid affair of intellectual leth-
argy. Popular appeal was ignored con,
temptuouslv. But Northcliffe realized
the masses were hungry for news, and
he made his fortune by catering TO
them.
Shocked the Glasses
The middle and upper classes were
shocked by the Daily Mail. There was
no reason to be, for its news was ac-
eurate and interestingly told. But,
class feeling sided against Northcliffe
because his paper circulated so largely
in the East End. 1t became sign OF
culture among snobbish people to de-
cry the Daily Mail. Northcliffe never
succeeded in righting himself with TINS
class of Englishmen. Even his pur-
chase of the London Times, the most
cultured daily newspaper in the world,
and his elevation to the peerage, failed
to give him rank i'm the social world of
London.
Northcliffe never cared for society
ond class criticism did not bother him.
His mind was too active to dwell for
onv time in reveries He had an aston
ishing supply of nervous energy. ana
his death at premature age IS due
primarily to the fact that he burned
himself up. He played ceaseless part
IN the production of his papers. Pro
motion was rapid under him and his
generosity never failed when he es
MED merit. He paid higher wages than
anv other London publisher. But, nc
would not tolerate inefficiency,. rms
led to a saying in Fleet street that nc ne
made his fortune by squeezing lemons ,o
and throwing away the SKINS. lh'
criticism was misplaced, for North
cliffe made the fortunes of more SUP
ordinates probably than all othef flee'
street proprietors combined.
Northcliffe IS political power was IN
ternational. His newspapers nave nav
n wide influence on foreign relations
People discussed Northcliffe 8 policies
as if he were a prime minister. North
cliffe was independent and moderator,
nropressive in his views. Before th'
war, he bitterly attacked Lioy'
Georges radicalism. But once the con
flict began Northcliffe realized Lloy'
George was best fitted to become wa
premier. The weight of Northciitte I
influence undoubtedly had much 10 az
with LLOYD Georges selection Dufm'
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