The New York herald., 1922-08-02
More International News Urged.
Views of British Labor Chief, Read at Williamstown
Hold Press Arbiter of Anglo-American Amity

Special Dispatch 10 THE NEW YORK HKxAr.r
WILLIAMsrowN. Mass. Aug. 1.-Ut-
terances presented at the Institute OF
Politics to-day showed Arthur Hender-
son. M. p, secretary of the British Labor
Party. and Manoel de Oliveira Lima of
Brazil. who delivered HIS initial public
lecture this morning. in opposition as
to the value of close contact among
nations. DIR. Lima said:
There are cases In which q mutual
ignorance does no harm. History shows
that nations too much In contact are
nations apt to dislike each other"
Mr.. Henderson's Views were contained
In an authorized statement brought from
England.
Long experience of political organ
ization and propaganda has left me with
the conviction that the press is the most
important factor at the present time in
promoting good relations between Brit
ain and the United States" said Mr..
Henderson. There are other agencies
at work in laying the foundations of a
better understanding; but the newspa-
pers on both sides can make or mar
this work. They are determining In
fluence. If they choose to be hostile,
or even merely Indifferent, they can
hinder II not Illustrate every effort that
is made to bring the two countries closer
together: and 1t Is also within their
power to create dangerous misunder-
standings between the two peoples whose
cooperation 1 am convinced Is essential
to the preservation Of Western civiliza-
tion and the extension of the democratic
ideals we hold in common.
Important as may be the pacific ut
terances of statesmen on both sides,
their effect may be wholly lost If the
International news collecting agencies
fail in their public duty.
my own relations with newspaper
men representing the press OF the United
states. as well as at home. have always
been happy and l believe mutually
helpful; at any rate. nave never will
ingly lost an opportunity of contrib
uting to the better understanding be-
tween the two countries when American
correspondents have provided the occa-
sion. and I do not think the recognized
representatives on this side of RESPONSE
Bile American journals and agencies
have ever been unfair or unfriendly
with me-
mo man In public life can reasonably
object to fair criticism of his opinions
or his policies. but in the widest public
interest he is entitled to protection
against Misrepresentation and willful
perversion Of his views. For such pro-
icSlioii ne IS dependent very largely
upon the sense OF responsibility and per-
sonal honor possessed by the individual
Journalist he encounters. None OF the
American correspondents | have met
ever failed In that respect. Many dis
tinguished correspondents OF American
newspapers have on the contrary taken
extraordinary paiIs to guard against
misunderstandings or misrepresenta-
tions OF my Views when they have
sought them. and do not hesitate to
say that, as a body the men who have
represented the American press on this
side are as able. distinterested and pub
lie spirited as any body OF men known
to me.
Through the work of such men the
American public has been kept fairly
we'll informed Of the aims and activities
OF British labor. But my Impression is
that fuller and more regular Anglo
American press service is required if
public opinion on both sides is to be
thoroughly instructed on the larger
issues Of pollcv involved in the relations
Of the two countries.
I'VE cannot know too much about each