The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-08-07
Baron Speck Won Sternburg APP
pears at Sycamore Hill
And Presents His Credentials as
German Ambassador.
WAS NO PRECEDENT.
First Time in History That a
Similar Ceremony
Has Taken Place Outside of the
White House.

Oyster Bay N. Y, Aug. 7.-Sagamore
Hill was the scene today of an inter-
esting ceremony. Baron Won Stern
burg, who has been minister plenipoten-
tiary of Germany 10 the United States
since Ambassador Won Houeben re-
turned to Europe, and who recently,
on the retirement of Mr. Won Holleben.
was elevated to the rank of ambas-
sador, presented to the president his
credentials as ambassador and was re-
ceived formally in his new diplomatic
rank by President Roosevelt.
Ambassador Won Sternburg arrived
here at 1904 from New York He was
accompanied by Acting Secretary of
State Loomis and Colonel Symons, su-
perintendent of public buildings and
grounds at Washington The ambas-
sador was in fun court dress. The
formal presentations took place in the
parlor of the Roosevelt home.
Ambassador Won Sternburg laid be-
fore President Roosevelt the letter an
nouncing the recall of Ambassador Won
Holleben and his own credentials as
successor.
The German ambassador said: Mr..
President-By command of his majesty,
the Germon emperor. king of Prussia.
my most gracious master, 1 have the
honor, Mr.. President, to place in your
hands a letter of his majesty whereby
he recalls his former ambassador ex-
traordinary and minister plenipoten-
tiary in the United States of America.
place this, my credential letter, in
your hands with the assurance that it
shall be my most earnest endeavor to
cultivate, promote and develop the re-
lationS of friendship which have so
long existed without the slightest in
terruption, between Germany and the
United States. l trust. Mr.. President,
that you will kindly second my efforts.
and thus facilitate the fulfillment of
my important mission
President Roosevelt replied as fol-
lows:
Mr.. Ambassador: have much
pleasure in receiving from your hand
4 the letter whereby his majesty, the Ger
man emperor accredits you as his am
bassadOr extraordinary and minister
plenipotentiary in the United States OF
America in place Of his majesty's form
er ambassador Mr.. Won Holleben,
whose letter of recall you now deliver to
me.
Your knowledge of the American
government and people gained during
your several periods of residence here
as diplomatic agent of Germany, and
/ the pleasant relations which have eX-
listed between yourself and the execu-
/ tive officers of this country lend added
weight to the assurance of your de-
sire and endeavor to advance and
strengthen the relations of amity which
!
! brokenly between the United States and
Germany and Will unable you moreover
/ to appreciate at its full weight the re-
/ ciprocal assurance which / gladly offer
of the equal wish and purpose of this
/ government to promote in all practical
ways the fullhlment of your mission"
At the conclusion of the ceremony the
president and Ambassador Won Stern
burg, old friends. chatted animatedly.
The ambassador will be the unofficial
guest of the president until sometime to-
morrow.
1t was stated authoritatively today
that the reception by the president of
the German ambassador at Sycamore
Hill is not to be regarded as a precedent
/ although it is the first time i'm the his
tory of the country that an ambassador
has presented his credentials to the
president outside Of Washington. Minis
ters who arrive in the United States
during the vacation season will not he
presented to the president at his sum
mer home unless there is some strong
and urgen reason for it. Baron Won
| Sternburg was received because the cir
/ cumstances connected with his coming
to the United States were exceptional in
a sense Then, too, he is a longtime
personal friend of the president. The
day may be considered a precedent will
be when the conditions are similar. that
is. when an ambassador shall receive his
promotion to that rank while in and ac-
credited to this country as minister
plenipotentiary-
Senators Millard of Nebraska. and
| Hepburn of Idaho We're among the
guests of Mr.. and Mrs. Roosevelt at
luncheon. Both of the senators came
to see the president on matters connect
ed with appointments in their respec-
tive states.