New-York tribune., 1922-11-18
" I'M. L.. Sharp.
Ex-A1fbassado1
Io France, Die
Held His Post 5 Years ar.
Served i'm Paris Durin
the War; Had Been Actiy.
i'm Politics Since 1885
Lived at Elyria, Ohio
Visited Europe Last Summer
for His Health; Became
LII Several Days Ago

ELY RIA, Ohio, Nov 17.-William
1TaVes Sharp, former Ambassador to
france, died at his home here shortly
before noon to-day. He was sixty
'hree years old and had been III for
several days. He passed several months
IN Europe last summer for his health.
ana according to friends had not been
very we'll since.
All OF the Ave Sharp children were
summoned to his bedside late yester-
DAY when his condition BECAME serious.
| Mr.. Sharp was American Ambassador
| TO France for five years, serving IN
Paris during the World War. He re-
| signed his post about year after
| the armistico was signed.
Mr.. Sharp's condition became worse
this morning and Cleveland special
ist was summoned by tho attending
physicians. Death came on hour later.
| however.
The former ambassador was born at
! Mount Gilead, Ohio. His parents were
George and MHhala Graves Sharp. His
niidhood was spent in Mount Gilead
J When he became of school age he
moved TO Ell lyria with his grandparents
and entered the public schools here.
AFTER no was graduated from high
| school he decided to take UP law and
entered the University of Michigan.
| IN 1881 he waB graduated from the
law department Of that institution and
! was admitted to the bar of Ohio.
William Graves Sharp, following his
admission to the bar In Ohio, became
interested in iron and steel and In
chemical manufactures, and for many
years was engaged in profitable in-
dustrial and commercial enterprises,
Started Political Career
His political career began with
service as prosecuting attorney of
lorain County, Ohio, in 1858 In
1872 he WAS q Democratic Presidential
eiector. In 1900 he was an unsuccess-
ful Demo ocratic candidate for Congress,
and in 1904 he was delegate to the
'emocr9tic National Convention at ST.
ILouis. Four years later he was elected
q Representative in the Sixty-iirst Con-
gress from the 14th Chic District, and
was reelected TO the next two Con
crosses, serving from 1909 to July %,
1914, when he resigned to accent np-
polntment as Ambassador to France.
His selection for that place was a
sufpflse to the country, as he had ct
that time been little known in ma
tional affairs. He had first been
thought of as candidate for Minister
to Belgium, at time when there was
some opposition TO the appointment of
Brand Whitlock. Next he was sug-
gested for the Russian Embassy, but
| 1t was learned that there was doubt if
he would be welcomed to that country
on account of his having urged and
voted for abrogation of the treaty be-
tween the United States and R Issfa.
Hlnally he was made Ambassador to
France, under the sponsorship of Sena-
tor Pomerene, and in spite of the hit
ter hostility of Governor James M. COY
ne was known as pacifst, little
navy man and an enthusiast over
aeronautics and astronomy.
He went to Paris in September. 1914
to succeed Myron T. Herrick, who was
TO retire on Oct ober /, and soon after
| ms arrival was interviewed personally
by James Gordon Bennett for the paris
edition of "The New York Herald" He
talked freely about the war and the
neutrality Of the United States, and
urged propaganda for universal peace.
lie especially dwelt upon the attitude
OF the united States and it's functions
"' S"c eiiu VI tne war, saying:
| II shall not be indiscreet if ] pive
voice 20 the thought held by many
people that the role OF the United
States Is bound to be most importsmt
one at that moment"
Foreshadowed Mediation
! This was interpreted as a clear fore
! shadowing of mediation by the United
! States, and this impression was deep
! ened by his reference to the peace
proposals which President Wilson had
recently made, which no regarded as
timely, though unacceptable at that
! time.
What nation could be more fitted
that the United States to take the lead
fin the peace negotiations 7" asked Mr..
! Sharp. ain our nation are amalgs-
mated all the races now at war. Our
| sincerity is undoubted. Our national
position Of impartiality and neutrality
is such that Americas voice would be
l surely listened to ct the opportune mo-
l ment."
| This interview was regarded as in
discreet by the French government,
alth hough it did not In any way com
promise Mr.. Shnrp's standing. But
while 1t was published in Paris, the
government would not permit 1t to be
cabled to America or otherwise sent
out of the country, save by the slow
processes of the mails.
Mr.. Sharp visited Washington at the
| request of President Wilson In the
winter of 1857, in company with