Evening star., 1939-12-05
J. Butler Wright, 81,
U. 5. Envoy 10 Cuba,
Dies in Havana
Funeral Services for
Career Diplomat to
Be Held Here

]. Butler Wright, 81, United States
Ambassador to Cuba, died last night
in the Anglo-American Hospital in
Havana. He was well known in
Washington, having served the State
Department here for many years.
A career diplomat. he was made
Third Assistant Secretary Of State
in 1923. From 1924 to 1928 he served
as Assistant Secretary of State. Mr..
Wrights duties as third assistant
included those now handled by the
Division of Protocol. which at that
time had not yet been organized.
One of his functions in this capac-
ity was to meet prominent visitors
to Washington and act as the de-
partment's chief ceremonial officer.
In 1926 he acted as presidential rep
resentative to accompany queen
Marie of Rumania on her visit to
the United States.
During his services here he was
we'll known both in official and So
cial life of the city. Jovial and OF
cheerful bearing, he was in consid-
erable demand at social functions.
He long held the reputation Of being
one of the best-dressed men in om-
cial life here.
Had Undergone Operation.
While counselor of the Embassy
at London, he was called home as
an advisor at the Washington Arms
Conference.
Two days ago Mr.. Wright had un-
dergone an operation for a pan
creatic disorder, according to an
Associated Press dispatch. Consul
General Coert Du Boise announced
that the body will be sent to Wash
ington Thursday. The Navy De-
partment announced here that the
U. S. S. Omaha, now at Guantana-
mo, Cuba. has been ordered to pro-
ceed to Havana to return the BODY
of Ambassador Wright to the United
States. The Omaha, a light cruiser
commanded by Capt. Lyal A. David
son, will reach Havana tomorrow
night or Thursday morning.
The funeral will be held here IN
Washington Cathedral. Details have
not been completed and will be an
nounced later. The Ambassadors
wife and daughters, Edith and Mary,
were at the bedside.
After serving as Assistant Secre-
tary of State he then spent three
wears as Minister to Hungary, four
wears as Minister to Uruguay and
three years as Minister to CZecho-
Slovakia. He left Prague in 1887
and become Ambassador to Cuba
August II of that year.
Born in New York.
On his arrival In Havana, Mr..
Wright said as the keynote to his
service there: I'VE must all strive
to strengthen the spirit OF amity
between the United States and
Cuba" A week ago he became seri-
ously i'll and was taken to the hos
pital.
Mr.. Wright was born at 1rvington-
on Hudson, N. Y, october ID, 1877.
He was educated at Lawrencevine
School, and Princeton University.
After six years in the banking and
brokerage. business, he went West
and for two years raised livestock
in Wyoming.
He entered the diplomatic service
in 1909 as secretary Of the American
Legation at Tegusigalpa, Honduras.
Three years later he came here for
special duty at the State Depart
ment. He then went to Brussels as
secretary of the Legation.
In 1918, Mr.. Wright was appointed
secretary Of the Legation at Rio de
Janeiro. Two years later he was
made acting chief of the Division of
Latin American Affairs in the State
Department. In 1916 he became
counselor of the Embassy at Petro-
grad (now Leningrad), Russia. He
held a similar post in London from
1918 to 1921.