Sthamer, Friedrich

(1856-1931)

   diplomat; Germany's popular Am-bassador to London during most of the Weimar era. Born in Hamburg, he stud-ied law before becoming a judge advocate in 1879. He was appointed to the Board of Advocates in 1893 and was elected to Hamburg s Senate in 1904. After he served as Hamburg's Oberburgermeister during World War I, his tal-ents (including English fluency) were deemed essential to allay postwar British resentments. Upon petition from the Foreign Office, he went to London in 1920 as charge d'affaires; within months he was named Ambassador.

   Known for honesty, tactfulness, and reserve, Sthamer was among the most admired foreigners in London. Overcoming the war s prejudices, he established rapport with business and political leaders and formed a close friendship with the royal family. He also furnished the Foreign Office with valuable information on English domestic issues. Active in talks leading to both the Dawes Plan* and the Locarno Treaties,* he repeatedly rejected cabinet portfolios in favor of remaining in London. At British behest he retained his diplomatic post until 1930, when, at seventy-three, he was well beyond the normal retirement age of sixty-five.

   REFERENCES:Grathwol, Stresemann and the DNVP; Holborn, "Diplomats and Diplo-macy"; New York Times.