Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-05-18
Mr.. CHOATE FIRST NOTED
AMERICAN WAR VICTIM
Strain of Receiving Allied Wat
Mission Too Great for
Aged Diplomat

NEW YORK. May 15.-The war today
has claimed its first distinguished
American. As numerous leaders i'm Eu-
ropean countries have died since the out
break of the conflict from Overtaxing
their strength, so Joseph II. Choate, for
mer ambassador to the court of st.
James. and dean of the American bar,
died at his home here last night
The end came suddenly, at 1880 p. M,
with no physician in attendance, and
with only his wife and MIR. Choate's
daughter Mabel, at the bedside. Mrs.
Choate is in a serious condition.
Mr.. Choate was eighty-five. He took
a leading part in New York's receptions
TO the French and British commissions
here last week and the strain was too
great. Angina pectoris was given as the
cause of death.
Mr. Choate's last public appearance
was with British Foreign Minister Bal
four at the Cathedral of st. John the
Divine last Sunday. He had been with
the British envoy almost constantly
since his arrival here. Saturday night
Balfour was his dinner guest.
The last of Mr.. Choate's many bril-
liant after-dinner speeches was made at
the Waldorf-Astoria at the banquet to
the allied commissioners Friday night
bers of the family, Mr. Choate COM
planned Of feeling depressed. His physi-
clan ordered him to remain in bed. At
10 p. m, Mr.. Choate-sitting up in bed
said to his wife and daughter:
II am feeling very ILL., / believe this
is the end"
Physicians were summoned but he
died before they arrived His son. Jo-
seph II. Choate, Jr., was informed of his
fathers illness and rushed to New York
from Mount Kisco, arriving too late.
After having lived in virtual retire
ment for years Mr. Choate dramatically
re-entered the most energetic phase of
New York's political and social life when
the United States etnered the war. He
reappeared as principal speaker at din
ners, and took a vigorous part i'm all ar
rangements for meeting the allied en-
voys. Friends marveled at his sudden
strength. Beginning with the French
commissioners arrival, he took the lead
In all events planned to honor them. He
led reception committees, rode i'm pa
rades, was chief speaker at banquets
and walked beside the guests on their
every appearance. He was recognized
and cheered again and again as he
swung back to his old position in the
front rank of the city's public men.
His rejuvenated career was not to be
abandoned after the commissioners de-
parture. He had planned to address stu
dents of Columbia university today.
Mr.. Choate was appointed British am
bassador by President Mckinley i'm S99.
He did much to cement friendly Brit
ish-Americans He also took a leading
part in the peace conference at the
Hague. Before becoming an ambassa-
dor, Mr.. Choate was a distinguished
member of the American bar
Mr.. Choate's last public utterance was
of victory. In his last speech at the
allied commissioners banquet Friday
night he said:
Now that we have fairly EN- barked
in this war, following the lead of those
dear allies of ours, Great Britain, our
beloved mother country, and France, our
dear, delightful, bewitching, fascinating,
hypnotizing sister, there can be no such
word as fail We are in for victory,
which must be won together. Why, we
have only been to war for thirty days.
and see what change has come over
the men of America ] feel it myself,
being young"