The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-04-06
TROUBLE IN GERMAN EMBASSY
BARON vow STERNBURGS PRO-
MOTION AROUSED JEALOUSY.
Tho Resignation OF tho Military and
Forestry Attaches Due to the Elcva.
ton OF Baron sternburs Over Men
Who Were OF Higher Diplomatic Rank.


ton Of Baron sternburg Over Men
Who Were OF Higher Diplomatic hank.
WARRINGTON, April S.-A brief cable des-
patch from Berlin in THE Sun this morning,
quoting the Tdephche Rundschau as saying
that the military and forestry attaches Of
the German Embassy in Washington had
returned to Germany. owing to the failure
Of Minister Won Sternburg to leave cards
upon their wives, attracted a great deal OF
attention in diplomatic circles here to-day.
That much Of the story which indicates
that friction caused the return OF the two
attaches is correct, but IL is not understood
that any action Of Baron Won Sternburg's
was responsible for the trouble. In fact,
from all accounts. the shoe is on the other
foot. and there is more to the story than the
Berlin newspaper tells
The trouble at the German Embassy is
attributed primarily to the promotion Of
Baron Sternburg from the rank Of Consul
General to that Of Minister and Envoy on
extraordinary mission He was thus ad-
vanced through every subordinate grade
Of the German diplomatic service.
When Baron and Baroness Sternburg
arrived in Washington only one member
them at the railroad station. 1t soon began
to appear that there was a studied attempt
on the part Of the attaches OF the embassy
to show as little courtesy as possible to the
new Minister and to his wife. who was
Mise Langham, an American.
The Countess Quadt. wife OF the Counsel
Tor OF the embassy. failed to call on Baroness
Sternburg. It was said that this was due
to resentment on Count Quadt's part over
the promotion Of Baron Sternburg. the
Count having been Of higher rank in this
diplomatic service than the new Minister
and to the claim OF Countess Quadt that
she was Of higher rank In the nobility than
Baroness Sternburg, and II was, therefore,
the duty Of the Minister'S wife to pay the
first call. Ultimately. however. Countess
Quadt called on Baroness Sternburg, but
it Is said that the latter, having heard Of
statements made by Countess Quadt,
deemed it her duty not to return the visit.
According to current gossip. Count
Quadt was not alone In resenting Baron
Sternburg's promotion. the other members
Of the Embassy staff with the exception Of
Count Won Montgelas. Third Secretary. shar-
ing his feelings. Baron Won Ritter ~ Grln-
stein, Second Secretary. did not pay a visit
OF courtesy to the new Minister. and Is re-
ported to have failed to attend to his official
duties. Major Otto Won Etzel. the military
attaohe. and Herr A. Scheck. the expert
in agriculture and forestry Of the Embassy,
are said to have also shown no desire to
assist the Minister or to perform the social
courtesies due to his position as their chief.
1t was Inc vitabie from the beginning that
Baron Sternburg would be obliged TO make
sweeping chang im Tie Embassy STAG
OF ask 70 b rscalled. A. soon as ths g.
sious aspect Of the venexr Ian trouble had
dlsappe ared, Count Quadt obtained leave
Of abs noe. Bare n Ritter resigned his post
in Washington. Major Etzell went back TO
Germany also. and Herr Soheck obtained
a transfer to another pest.
Tho general opinion among members
Of the Diplomatic Corps appears to be that
Baron Sternburg pursued a conservative
and patient course. His resentment Of
the alleged attempt to slight his wife is
widely commended. 1t Is proper to say
that the statements made In this despatch
concerning the trouble at the Embassy
were not obtained there. They have been
known in the diplomatic circle for several
weeks.