Evening star., 1942-06-24
Discusses Need for professionally
In Distribution Of British News.

In Distribution OF British News.
To the Editor of The Star:
Harold Butler, British Minister-des-
ignate, has arrived to take up his duties
as director general Of the British In
formation Services. So almost any time
now we may expect another gripping
installment of that fascinating serial:
The Reorganization of the B. /. S."
We can hardly wait.
Mr.. Butler comes to this country and
to the job, with, it is said, the blessing of
Ambassador Winant land thus, no doubt.
the confidence OF the President Roose-
velD and an unparalleled knowledge of
international labor problems. He also
has the good wishes of all those who
realize that both the successful prosecu-
ton of the war and the achievement of
stable peace depend largely on as per-
feet an understanding as possible be-
tween the peoples (as we'll as their
leaders, of Great Britain and the United
States. Therefore. they know that the
importance Of Mr.. Buffers work can
hardly be overestimated. But his
headaches will be many and various.
Contrary to popular American super
stition the British are not good at pub
one hand, their almost pathological shy
ness and reserve, and their notions of
good form" make them think that any
sort of publicity is not quite respectable
not thing in which gentleman should
indulge. On the other they cherish the
illusion-also not entirely unknown
among Washington off1cials-that there
is nothing to be learned about this dis
reputable art, and that any one without
any previous training or experience can
give the public the news they want in the
way In which they want it. 1t does not
occur to them ITO wonder why the best
newspapermen are paid, even in Eng
land, more than ambassadors, admirals,
generals or even cabinet ministers. May
be they do not know this. If they did,
they would doubtless put it down to
whimsical philanthropy on the part of
the people who own newspapers.
British officials who would not dream
Of delegating their own jobs to the un-
trained, believe that any one of their
number with suficient age and rank can
take public relations" in his stride and
spare time. No previous knowledge is
necessary-not even the proverbial "six
easy lessons"-for the bureaucrat or
oficer to know just how to give these
newspaper tell-alls" what they want.
They are big-hearted enough to be-
lieve that almost any one else can do
the same, as long as they are modern
poets, attorneys. saxophone players or
dry-fly fishermen. OF course, it is bit
more difncult for chaps like these and
they may have to give nearly full time to
it. Professional newspapermen OCCASION
ally may be employed but only n the
supply of folk dancing experts, croquet
players or assorted intellectuals Is ex-
hausted. In that event, they should be
given as little scope and responsibility
as possible and should be seen but not
heard.
That is the chief reason why the
handling of British news-except by
American correspondents in London
often Is 50 amateurish and inept. A
recent classic example was the magnifi-
cent st. Nazaire raid, news of which was
put out 30 badly and 50 late that DR..
Goebbels succeeded in convincing most
Of the world that 1t had been . Ger
man victory.
Within tho peSt two Veeks preddent