Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-10-01
SUDDEN DEATH
Of Sir Michael Herbert at
Davos-Platz, Swift.
British Ambassador to United States
Passed Away Most Unexpectedly.
Had Long Been III, but End Came as
Great Shock.

London, Sept. 30.-Sir Michael Her.
bert, the British ambassador to the
United States. died, today, at Davos-
PlatZ, Switzerland, after a long and
piucky fight with consumption. which
terminated with tragic suddenness.
The first announcement of the am
bassador's untimely end was made at
this afternoons session of the Alaskan
boundary commission. Hannis Taylor
in behalf of the United States, had fin
ished his lengthy argument, at about
P. NJ, and Sir Edward Carson. the
solicitor general. was replying with an
intricate Legal argument, dealing with
maps and the ancient Vancouver con-
troyersy, which was half-heartediy
paid attentionst To by those present. and
several of them1made preparations TO
leave the hall sas~the solicitor general
delved still deeper into the dry detail
when Chief Justice Alverstone held up
his hand and Sir Edward sat down.
A second later the commission. coun-
sci, secretaries and spectators sat spell
bound as Lord Alverstone. with tremp-
ling voice and tears in his eyes, an
no,lnced that Sir Michael Herbert was
dead. Maps and boundaries were ut
terIy forgotten. With dramatic pathos'
the international contestants became
fellow sympathiZers, listening in stun
ned amazement to Lord Alverstones
tribute to the man whose death none
even expected. Rather than trust TO
axtempore expression Lord AlVerstone
had jotted down few sentiments
which he read as follows:
THE members of the tribunal have just
learned with deepest sorrow of the dealh
of Sir Michael Herbert. who, in behalf OF
Great Britain negotiated and signed the
treaty by which this tribunal was consti-
tuted and under which it is at the moment
sitting. / cannot trust myself 10 express
the feeling of grief, which TINS allhoel !ts
ment has caused to every member OF tliS
tribunal and to many otNh,r who had the
great privilege of Herbefts friendship
"A worthy successor to the great men
who have filled the high office he held he
brought to his duties not only great anil
ity but the most charming personal gifts:
| and others here have in the course OF
our public life been brought INTO close
official and personal connection with him
1t is no language of eXaggeratlon 10 say
that no man ever brought to the discharge
of his duties higher ideals. and few II
any greater qualifications. His Majesty
and the British nation have lost devoted
public servant and many of us have lost
i. cherished personal friend,
In the meanwhile Ambassador Cnoate
had entered. He had Just come from
Lord Transformers room where he learned
the news. The intense silence which fol-
lowed the delivery of Lord AlverStone'
tribute was broken by j. M. Dickinson
of the-,American counsel, who voiced the
American sorrow and proposed the ad-
jOurnment of the commission Solicitor
General Carson agreed and the commits
sion quietly broke up until tomorrow.
Friends of Sir Michael Herbert came
hurrying along the foreign affairs CORR
doris to ascertain if the news WAS true
On all sides, American, Canadian anG
English, genuine sorrow was exhibited
which was evidently actuatcd by il sense
Of deep personal loss.
Sir Michael had been at Davos-Platz
about Ave weeks When he returned -
London from America he confessed he
felt far from well, but his physicians
Stifl held ont hopes of his conquerng the
consumption. He expected to leave Da-
Vos-PlatZ. a week or so ago. in order to
but he contracted bronchitis of this ho
wrote. only Il few days ago. quite Si,-at-
ingly, saying il ouir IN tul :. to-
cause on account uf il the L.. tuiS .,!Si-t-
ed on his not going to London to see hi
American friends
Lady, Herbert intended to leave swift
Zerland a short time ago with her chill
dren. but she apparently changed her
plans and remained at Dayos- PlatZ
Ii was announced tonight. from Wilton.
Wiltshire. of which the Earl of Pembroke
has been mayor and member of Paria-
ment. that the amba SSador'S body will he
brought to England and is expected to ar
rive at Wilton, oct. 8. The news of his
death was received there with profound
regret and the town council met this
evening. and passed resolution of condo
lence.