The Washington times., 1907-09-16
BARON Won STERNBERG,
German Ambassador, Who, Report
Says, viii Retire.
Ambassador Is Friend of
President, Who Urged
Him to Remain.

Deep regret is expressed in Washing
ton in the reported retirement from the
diplomatic service of Baron Speck voE
Sternberg. German ambassador to the
United States. The ambassador and
Baroness Won Sternberg are travelling
through New England. but are expected
to return TO the embassy in Washington
about the middle Of October. It is un-
deTstood the baron viii relinquish his
duties here some time IN November and
seek rest in one of the health resorts OF
Europe No official confirmation OF the
ambassadors retirement has been re-
eeived a. the State Department.
Baron Won Stefnberg has long been
afflicted with a canceTous growth on his
face, and for years has been under the
care Of the most eminent specialists in
this country and abroad Every EFFORT
has heen made To keep the nature OF the
baron's Ill health from the public. and
this mas been done 10 considerable eN-
tent, but his condition now has grown
so alarming that he has been compelled
TO terminate mis- public career.
This is not the first rumOT OF the kind
that has been heard in diplomatic and
OFFICIAL circles in Washington. for early
last year. when the ambassador and his
wife went abroad, II was currently re-
ported that he would not return 20
Washington. However, about the mid
die Of the summer the Sternbergs sailed
for America, and since their return 10
this country have been visiting resorts
through New England.
III Last Winter.
Last winter the baron's health was
matter of deep concern 10 his intimate
friends. particularly to President Roose-
Welt, between whom and the German
diplomat a strong personal friendship
exists. He attended all the state recep-
tons at the White House. but it soon
became apparent. to those who knew him
best that he was failing and that the
generous growth was fast spreading
from tiny spot TO the whole side Of his
face.
Baron Won sternberg has always been
popular IN Washington. He is man of
genial personality, friendly manner
that puts visitors at their ease, and
courteous at all times. He is keenly in
terested in sports, and since coming TO
Washington has been the companion of
the President on many Of the latter :
rides and in the inevitable games OF ten
mis- on the White House courts He was
an attache Of the German embassy
when President Roosevelt was Civil Ser
vice commissioner, and when Mr.. ROOse-
welt succeeded 10 the Presidency and
the post Of German ambassador to
Washington was vacant, II was through
the Interchange OF correspondence in
Washington and Berlin that Baron
Speck van Sternberg was elevated TO an
amba ssad0rship. At the time he was
German consul general to India 1t was
the German diplomat who taught Theo-
dore Roosevelt. IT.. and Kermit many
little tricks OF horsemanship, and early
in the spring he gave the Presidents
sons their first lessons in taking the
hurdles
Baron Won sternberg was born in Eng
Aed He Inherited a large fortune
from his father and some years ago
married Miss Lily Langham one OF the
noted beauties OF Kentucky. The match
was purely a love affair and Washing
ton has always taken a deep interest
IN the manifest devotion Of the young
German and his beautiful wife
Since the Sternbergs came TO Wash