A SPECTATOR'S NOTEBOOK
HE Doily Express (" Controlling shareholder Lord Beaver- brook ") attacks Sir Oliver Franks. British Ambassador at Washington. So does Col. McCormick's Chicago Tribune; does the Daily Express welcome the companionship ? The Daily Express attacks the Ambassador because, among other counts. he " has made no mark upon the country in which he serves." The Chicago Tribune attacks him because he brings too much British influence to bear on the United States Government. The fact, as almost every Englishman serving in America or visiting America testifies. is that Sir Oliver Franks is filling his responsible, and difficult office with conspicuous success. His ability and intellectual range is unquestioned ; he is an admirable speaker ; he is what is known as " a good mixer," with no frills of any kind. If it is an offence to have been a university don it is one committed equally by Lord Bryce, by general consent one of the most successful British Ambassadors who ever served in Washington. I am not at all surprised that the Chicago Tribune should violate the very proper convention under which newspapers refrain from attacks on diplomats, who, unlike Ministers, are not in a position to enter into controversy. I don't know that I am very much surprised that the Daily Express should violate it too.
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