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

6AhON STECh v
Baron Sternburg is regarded as a distinct
personal loss.
When he left Washington on the oath
of last May for his home In Germany the
ambassador himself seemed to have a
premOnitiOn that he never would return.
He had been afflicted for several years
with cancerous growth on the left side
of his face and ears. Technically the dis
ease is known as oSteOcarclnoma. which
is really gradual decay of the bones
caused by an active cancerOus affection.
Although the progress Of the disease in
the case of Ambassador Sternburg was
retarded by surgical operations. of which
he underwent several, and by skillful
medical treatment, it was recognized by
the baron that eventually he probably
would succumb to its ravages.
His Great Popularity.
1t is no detraction from any man to say
that the German ambassador. personally
and officially, was one of the most popu-
lar and highly esteemed members of the
diplomatic corps in Washington. Thir-
teen or fourteen years ago he came to
Washington as secretary to the German
embassy. While a resident of the Amer
lean capital he became intimately asso-
ciated with a coterie of prominent men
in civil and official life. of whom Presi-
dent Roosevelt, then member of the
civil service commission. Assistant Sec
rotary Adee of the State Department. and
Clifford Pinchot. now chief forester of the
United States. were three. The friendship
of the members of this coterie for one
another was particularly notable. They
We're together much of the time. Some
of them were interested enthusiastically
In athletic sports.
1t was at that time that Baron Won
Sternburg formed his intimate relation
ship with Mr.. Roosevelt. They had much
In common. Both were fine students and
eminent scholars. Baron Sternburg. al
though small of stature, and seemingly
delicate of physique, was an accomplished
horseman. and he and Mr.. Roosevelt rode
a great deal together. In the long rides
and walks which they took about Wash
ington the friendship. which in later years
was to be so valuable both to America
and Germany, was cemented.
Subsequently Baron Won Sternburg was
transferred from Washington to Ger
many, and little later was sent by the
German foreign office to Calcutta, India,
as consul general of Germany. When Mr.
Roosevelt became President Of the United
States 1t was rumOred that Baron Stern
burg would come to Washington as the
personal representative of Emperor Will
liam. He was not appointed ambassador
to the United States, however, until just
before Mr.. Roosevelt was elected to the
presidency. His credentials were present.
ed August Z. 1903. as the campaign was
about to begin. He was one of the first
members of the diplomatic corps to extend
TO President Roosevelt his fluctuations
upon the election.
Strong Friendship Endures
The friendship of many years continued
between the men from that time on and
really became even closer as years passed
Both before and after his appointment as
ambassador Baron Sternburg always was
a welcome guest at the White House. He
sustained with the President probably
more intimate personal and official re-
latiOns than any other diplomat accredited
to Washington.
During Ambassador Sternburg's first
long official sojourn in Washington he be-
came acquainted with Miss Lillian May
Langham of Louisville. KY. one of two
sisters who were celebrated for their
beauty and accomplishments. Suisse
quently Baron Sternburg and Miss Lang
ham were married. 1t was recognized here
that the sympathy and devotion of Ba-
roness Sternburg to the ambassador con-
tributed greatly to cheer him and to pro-
long his life.
Baroness as Hostess.
The baroness was frequently a hostess
at the embassy on Highland Terrace at
dinners and luncheons. and usually gave
several large evening receptions each win
ter. The kaiser's birthdays were always
gala occasions at the embassy. While re-
garded as one of the handsomest women
in the diplomatic circle. she was also
one of the best dressed her gowns and
jewels being among the most elegant at
the capital Just before leaving for Eu-
rope last spring the baroness gave a
series OF goodbye parties to several Of
the members Of the embassy who were
usaiy To nth -
lOngings of the ambassador and Baroness
Sternburg. which adorned parts of their
embassy home here We're ancestral DOS
sessions of the former and souvenirs Of
the life of the couple in the east.
Adee Expresses Sorrow.
Acting Secretary of State Adee ex-
pressed today his great personal sorrow
at the death of Ambassador Sternburg
He said that he would cable immedia tely
to the baroness and also. on behalf Of
the State Department. to the German for
eisn office an expression of personal and
official condolences.
Career of the Baron.
Baron Speck Won Sternburg was born
in Leeds England in 1852. He was the
son Of Baron Alexander and Martha
SHAW Speck Won Sternburg. He received
his education in Germany.
His military career was a distinguished
one. AS member of the I'd Saxon
Dragons he fought through the Franco
Prussian war and was active I'm military
service until 1885. In that year he was
appointed military attaChe to the German
legation at Washington. reappointed in
1889 and transferred as major to the
German general staff. He joined the
diplomatic service in 1880 served in Picking
and Belgrade. and was appointed first
secretary to the German embassy at
Washington in 1898.
In 1900 he was consul general of Ger
many for British India and Ceylon, and
appointed minister plenipOtentiary and
envoy extraordinary to Washington on
special mission In 1903. and was made
ambassador in the same year. a post
which he held until his death.
He married an American girl. Miss
Lillian Langham of Kentucky I'm London
December J. 1900. Miss Langham was
the daughter of a wealthy mine owner
Of Idaho and the niece OF Arthur Lang
ham of Louisville. where she spent most
OF her girlhood.
A Social Favorite Here.
Baroness Won Sternburg has been a
great social favorite in Washington. and
her graceful presence and charming man
at hn has