New-York tribune., 1908-08-25

One Of the closest friends of President Roosevelt
throughout his entire diplomatic IN Wash
ington. Baron Herman Speck Sternburg had
wide circle of associates. who mourn his death in
the prime of life He was of German ancestry,
his name indicates. but his place of birth
Leeds. England. At that time-August q. 1s52-his
father. Baron Alexander, and his mother. Baroness
Martha (Shaw) Speck Won Sternburg. were living
in that place. The son was educated in Germany
the Furstenschule ST. Afra, Meissen. Saxony,
and the military academy at Potsdam Prussia.
He made special studies in international law. po-
hticaI economy, and military and naval sciences
Entering the army. he took part in the Franco
German War, in the I'd Saxon Dragons. His active
military career continued thereafter until 1885
He then appointed military attaehe OF the
German Legation Washington. In 1889 he
reapponted the post, and transferred
TO the general staff OF the German army. with the
rank OF major In 1880 he entered the diplomatic
service and made first secretary of legation at
Peking and remained China six years. He then
became charge d'affaires at Belgrade servia In
returned to Washington first secretary OF
the German Embassy. In the same year he served
as the representative of Germany on the Samoan
commission In 1900 he became German Consul
General British India and Ceylon. He
married in that year. London. Miss Lillian
May Langham OF Louisville and took his bride TO
Calcutta
In 1903 he was sent to Washington his imperial
German 1najesty's minister plenipotentiary and en-
voy extraordinary q special mission relative to
the Venezuelan claims. He had conducted the deli
cate negotiations in regard to Samoa so well that
he was intrusted with this important function.
his ability and in settling the difficulties
regarding Venezuela such that he appoint
ed ambassador to the United States in July. 1903.
to succeed Baron Holleben- His close personal
friendship with Mr.. Roosevelt dated from the time
of his service secretary of the embassy, when
Mr.. Roosevelt Assistant Secretary of the Navy.
When he was selected for ambassador the opinion
was expressed by Emperor William that Germany
should be represented in this country by person
who would win the regard of the American people
as well as secure the confidence of the government
and after his appointment the relations of the two
countries became steadily amcable and cord
ial. Ambassador Sternburg of the
so-called cabinet of the President and they
frequently played with Secretary Garfield and AS
sistant Secretary Murray in close contests over the
net.
One of the features of Baron Won Sternburgs
tenure of Office the settlement of tariff questions
between this country and Germany two years ago.
He prominent in the social life of Washington,
and was devoted to horseback riding frequently
accompanying President Roosevelt. His American
wife who was the daughter OF wealthy mine
er in Idaho and niece OF Arthur Langham, of
Louisville aided promoting the popularity the
German Embassy in Washington. Last winter the
baron and MS wife made trip 10 Cuba, and the
way he delivered an address at Tampa, Fla, the
financial conditions of Germany He was the guest
of Minister Morgan in Havana After his return
he conferred with President Roosevelt In regard
the appointment of Ambassador Hill Berlin.
It feared last year that the lupus or growth
in his face would compel the retirement of Am
bassador Speck Sternburg from his post
1t was thought first to be Of nature.
but physicians agreed that it not, hopes
were entertained for long time that it could be
cured When the the ambassador abroad in
Nav he was declared to look like an exceedingly
sick
Baron SpecI Won SternburS had received the fol
lowing decorations: Red Eagle. first class; Order
of Crown first Glass; Grand Cross Order OF Al
hrerht (Saxony) war medal in the Franco German
War 1901: Cross Of Military Merit (Saxony)
Star of the Order of Francis Joseph Saxony) Star
of the Order OF Double Dragon (Chiaa) Star Of
the Takowo tServial, and Cross of the Order of St
Anne CRussia). He contributed TO ''The North
American Review" and other publications
The ailnent which resulted in the death of Baron
speck Won sternburK had been stubborn and OF