Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-08-25

81
ron Speck Won Sternburg, the German
ambassador to the United States, died
quietly in the Hotel Victoria in this
city about midnight last night. The
baroness, who was Miss Lillian May
Langham of Louisville, Ky, was with
her husband to the end.
The baron and the baroness came
here from Homburg the end of last
month to consult with Prof. Vincenz
Czerny, a skin specialist, concerning a
malady from which the ambassador
had been suffering for some time. At
ter prolonged examination of the
diseased part on the left side of Baron
Won Stcrnburg's head. Prof. CZerny aft
firmed that the trouble was not cancer
hat lupus and that he could cure it.
Roth the ambassador and his wife
we're Immensely cheered at this Opin-
ion. which was communicated to the
foreign Office at Berlin. A representa-
tive of the foreign office came down
hcre to see the baron and upon his re-
turn to Berlin the favorable news, it
Is understood, was transmitted to EN-
r.ror William and forwarded to the
German embassy at Washington.
Baron Won Sternburg is described as
having felt that his long agony was
nearly over, although he had suffered
many disappointments with regard to
tis illness. His wife also shared the
hooe that he would soon recover.
1t had been arranged that the baron
should go to Berlin in September to
be received in audience by Emperor
william previous to his return to
Washington. 1t was thought desirable
that the ambassador be at his post
during the concluding weeks of the
Presidential campaign.
No arrangements yet have been
made for the funeral of the ambassa-
dor The baron's father, who is 80
years old. lives on the family estate
near Dresden and it is possible that
the burial will take place there.
Baron Won Sternburg left New York
for Germany May 16.
The ailment that resulted in the
death of Baron Speck Won Sternburs
has been long standing. 1t has beer
described as a lupus. growing out OF
an injury resulting from an accident
that occurred while the baron was In
the service of his government in In
dia He made a brave fight against the
spread of the malady from the start,
consulting the foremost medical au-
thorities Of Europe and America for
aid and his plucky effort won the
keen sympathy of Washington people
The news of the baron's death comes
as complete surprise. No one believed
that the malady. would carry him away
so quickly. However, it was freely
predicted last summer that the ambaS-
sador would be forced to retire on ac-
count of illness. Within the last year
the lupus developed in the hideous
fashion peculiar to such attacks
spreading well over one side of ms
face. When the ambassador left for
Europe last May he went on board the
steamer very quietly with the purpose
OF keeping from the public attention
so far as possible, the spread OF ms
malady.
Baron Herman Speck Won Sternburs
was born in Leeds, England, Aug Il
1862. His parents were Baron AleXan'
der Won Sternburg and Matha Shaw
He was educated in Germany. He wa:
married in London to Lillian May
I.angham of Louisville. Ky. He fough
through the I'ranco-German war ant
remained in the active military service
until 1885. In that year he was maut
military attache to the German lega
ton at Washington. Four years late'
he was re-appointed to this post ant
made a major In 1890 he Joined the
diplomatic service, being appointed a.
g L. Of pakin He
next charge d'affaires at Belgrade
Servia, and In 1898 he was sent to th'
German embassy at Washington a.
first secretary. In this year he erVe'
as amGern high commissioner on tn
Samoan commission. In 1900 the parol
was consul general of Germany To-
British India and Ceylon and had beef
the ambassador of Germany to tn
United States since July. 1903.
Baron Sternburg was close frien'
Of President Roosevelt. He was mad
ambassador at Washington in success
sion to Dr. Won Holleben. whoe tern
of service in Washington had not beef
attended with entire success.
The German Emperor had declared
on several occasions that German.
SHOULD De represented III WaS"i6'o
by "a personality who would win tn
regard of the American people as we
as the confidence of the America
government" And the Emperor wa
generally declared happy in his selec
ton of man so capable of carryin
out his mission when he appointe
Baron Won Sternburg. It is fact tina
since the baron became ambassado
the relations between the Unite
States and Germany have grown an
nually more cordial The distrust tina
existed at one time has been entirel
dissipated in official circles. and a
most entirely so with the general pull
lie.
A notable success of the baron's ter