Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-24

The ambassador often played tennis with
the President on the White House court,
ana came to be known as a member OF
the so-called tennis cabinet group. It
is understood that President Roosevelt
brought his influence to bear upon the
appointment of Speck Won Sternburg to
the Enthusiastically.
Like the late Sir Michael Herbert the
British minister. and Sir Chentung LANG
Cheng. the former Chinese minister.
Speck Won Sternburg was secretary OF
legation in Washington when the Presi-
dent was civil service commissions and
they all became great friends.
When, in 1902 Sir Michael lie. bert
and Signor Mayor des Planches were
struggling to effect settlement of the
Venezuelan claims. the arrival of Won
sternburg. with his broad knowledge Of
American conditions and his close &C.
quaintance with the President and others.
brought order out of chaos and averted
the threatened failure of the negotiations.
1t was soon after the successful conclu-
sion Of these negotiations that Won Stern
burg was appointed ambassador.
DR.. Won Holleben. the previous ambas.
sador, was recalled by the emperor. His
term of service had not been attended
with entire success
For long time Speck Won Sternburg' .
physical afhiction was a distressing SUBJ
ject Of conversation in diplomatic circles
Insisted He Was Well.
He confidently asserted on all occa-
sions when the anxious inquiries of his
friends became personal that he was not
suffering from cancer and was a remark.
ably well man. A year ago last spring
Baron Won Sternburg hurried across to
the German health resorts as soon as
Congress adjourned. His face was dis
figured by the growth at that time. and
he had been under treatment by the fore
most specialists in this country and Eu-
rope. The baron had never had q strong
physique and the infection which finally
resulted in his death developed during his
service for the kaiser in India.
The late ambassador had been q fire.
quent contributor to the North American
Review and other magazines and papers
on subjects Of International interest.
A Wonderful Collection.
The Sternburg collection OF silver
frames, sconces, mirrors. and every man.
ner of table ware and dining room orna-
ment, is perhaps the finest and most
complete in the world. They are the old
est authenticated and registered produc-
tions of the ancient Saxon and Bavarian
silversmths. Many of the pieces bear
the date of 1430.
The silver came into the house of Won
Sternburg spoils of war. One Of the
direct progenitors of the amba ssa dor
was i'm command of an army division of
that electOr of SaXony who espoused the
cause Of Luther and laid siege to sew
eral cities of the Holy Roman Empire.
This Gen. Won Sternburg received the
entire silver treasures of a great monastic
establishment on the lower Rhine, and
they are now in the German embassy
here.
Insured for $4,000.
The extent and value of this collection
may be imagined from the fact that Baron
Won Sternburg carries an insurance of
$4,000 on it. and a description and photo
graphs of the most valuable pieces are in
the hands Of police officials here and In
Europe, to guard against theft.
A punch bowl. made In the form Of a
swan. nearly three feet HIGH Is one of
the most exquisite objects ever wrought
in silver. 1t was made In Nuremberg in
the first half of the fifteenth century.