Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-21

or us say. now OeIIlCCA dtIS'
Others CT us have sneaking
idea that perhaps the reporter is Just
a trifle top-lofty, rather Self-satished,
SO Important that he can afford to be
democratic. All Of which is intended
as preface to the statement that G. P.
Scott, who is retiring as editor OF the
Manchester Guardian after 81 years, is
a journalist.
There is a world of difference between
the business of newspaper production
and the profession Of journalism. Mr..
Scott is not only striking illustration
of this fact; he stands out as promi-
nently as the monument In Trafalgar
Square, or the Albert Memorial, except
that he does not stand out in any place
where the sun shines brilliantly or the
calcium lights play. Rather he IS one
OF those figures which make al the rest
of us feel that the game OF life Is well
worth playing, that. the profession OF
journalism offers us opportunities that
are a challenge to the very best that
We have to give.
It does not matter trifle whether a
Journalist agrees in every detail with
his colleague. What IS Of profound i'm
of view presents his case clearly, IS con-
sistsnt, is logical, fair-minded, generous,
tolerant Mr.. Scott meets every stand
ard and therefore he enjoys not only the
respect. but the affection, of all the
journalists who have met him person.
ally, or have studied the newspaper
which he has edited during more than
half a century, The most that couIl.
tries can ask these days is respect-one
for the other. Some Of US wish that 1t
could grow to the point Of affection, but
If we are wise We are satisfied with
respect Mr. Scott has always been held
in high respect; In more instances than
he can possibly appreciate he has been
regarded with affection.
Man Of Strong Character.
Why? Here is the editor Of g. news
paper in an English provincial city.
Here is newspaper with a compare
lively small circulation Here is a man
who has been content to live in the
same place for long lifetime. Here Is
man who has never been honored by
his king. Here is a man who reached
three score and 10 and a considerable
bit and was satisfied. Here is a man
who has found delight in his rose gar
den and ridden a bicycle to his ONCE
daily. And here is man whose soul
has always been his own, who has
fought fight after fight, going down to
defeat, but always rising to fight again,
who has advised prime ministers, who
has told his countrymen the truth as
he saw 1t; who has never lacked cour-
age, who has the strength of character
to admit his errors, who has never for
gotten for q moment that he was a
spokesman, that he Influenced public
opinion, that he was contributor 10
the development Of his country and. as
such. that he carried heavy response,
bility. True greatness walks hand and
hand with modesty.
BY great good fortune met Mr..
Scott early in the World War. There
was a meeting in Manchester Of the
Labor party and I had gone there IN
the hope Of getting an insight into
a political organization which At the
moment welded an influence much
greater than its parliamentary rep
chester hotel the executive committee
of the Labor party met on the eve OF
the convention and I was privileged
to sit in with leaders such as Jimmy
Thomas j. r. Clynes, Ramsay Mac
Donald, Arthur Henderson, the late
Willie Anderson. and half dozen
others, who now hold portfolios In
Britians second Labor government.
AS I recall, 1t was Mr.. Thomas who
suggested that I call at the Man.
chester Guardian ONCE and ask for
Mr.. Scott. Any one who has played
poker or bridge with Mr.. Thomas never
hesitates to accept his advice. went
to the Guardian office and met Mr..
Scott.
There was no formality. 1t was a
Midwinter night. Mr.. Scott had his
had met Lord Northcliffe on several
occasions, rather dumpy, smooth
shaven, smoking Turkish cigarettes,
perfectly delightful. a most helpful
friend Of a young American CORE
spondent seeking news OF the most
complicated situation civilization has
faced in this generation
Welcome for Americans.
Mr.. Scott stood before his ONCE fire-
place in Manchester and one wondered
made him an opponent Of so many
things that the British populace had
accepted as the proper thing to DO.
Rather thin, bushy gray beard, an
academic manner, he was so different
from Lord Northcliffe, another power
ful editor, that one was at loss TO
explain ones intrusion. Later one
learned that no American ever tntruded
on Mr. Scott; the Guardian editor
great length, or at least Mr.. Scott
talked and tried to answer his ques-
tons. From the files I quote:
1.-The President CWilson) has shown
himself a big man." said Mr. Scott.
He realizes how much the world has
shrunk-that the ocean has become
no wider than the Channel was for US
Continental power. though from Pitt
downward we have refused to under
take that role.
Wilson realizes that the United
States must become world power
Had Germany won the complete VIC
tory she expected she would have chal-
lenged seriously the Monroe Doctrine
perhaps successfully. II the Prest-
dents plans are carried out the Mon
roe Doctrine will be supplanted by
broad guarantees which will have strong
legal support, going much further than
the Monroe Doctrine, but still running
all the latter's obligations.
IT consider the Presidents condi-
lions for Americas joining the peace
league Just, but hard to fulfill: not for
us. but for the Central Powers, which
will not concede them until they are
beaten. Therefore we must beat them.
mind when he said peace without
victory was that there should be no
dictated peace, with the exaction OF
extreme terms--of such terms as ex-
tremists might demand. And he's
right"
These extracts are from an inter
view in January IL years ago. That
interview was the beginning Of an ex-
change Of correspondence extending
over several years and q number OF
visits to Manchester.
Interested in u. s. Journalism.
At luncheon one day after the war
the subject of discussion turned to the
preparations and qualifications OF
r1oyices in journalism. Mr.. Scott was
deeply interested in the american