1914 | First World War

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The Ultimatum to Servia (23 July 1914)

By acoadmin • On July 23, 1914 • In Summer 1914, Summer 1914', War

On 23 July, three weeks after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Austria served an ultimatum to Servia in response to the assassination. The Austrian government was primarily concerned with the punishment of the assassins and the elimination of pan-Serbian agitation towards the Austro-Hungarian government, including propaganda, publications and actions that were anti-Austrian in sentiment. The Berlin Daily Telegraph reprinted this article from London, England on 25 July, which explained that if the controversy between Austria and Servia was not handled with delicacy Europe could be pulled into a war. With this news, Canada and the rest of the British Empire were notified that a European war could occur.

(“Austria Warlike,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 25 July 1914.)

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Waterloo Region Cadets Attend Camp in London, Ontario (23 July 1914)

By acoadmin • On July 23, 1914 • In German-Canadian Identity, Summer 1914, Summer 1914 -

In the summer of 1914, London, Ontario hosted the annual Cadet camp, at Carling Heights, for the competition of South-western Ontario Cadet Corps. This was the largest Cadet camp to date since their founding in 1879. Over 1400 cadets participated in this camp. Cadet Corps from Waterloo Region attended this camp and competed in a number of competitions.

In the shooting competitions for the Beck Trophy (named in honour of Sir Adam Beck, Minister without Portfolio in Parliament from 1905 to 1914), the Waterloo Cadets placed second, only four points behind the winners from London. Chatham, Galt and Essex took the subsequent places. The Waterloo Region, therefore, had two of their Cadet corps place in the top four positions, a testament to their skill. The Waterloo and Galt corps continued to place in the top ranks in the other competitions. The oldest cadets at the camp were described as having the assuredness and steadiness of regulars. Unbeknown to them, this type of training would help prepare young Canadians for an upcoming war.

(“Cadet Camp at London,” Waterloo Chronicle- Telegraph, 23 July 1914; “Photo Origin: London Advertiser, 11 July 1914.”)

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Ontario Agriculture Ravaged by Army Worm (23 July 1914)

By acoadmin • On July 23, 1914 • In Economics, Summer 1914, Summer 1914.

Army worms, a pestilence that attacks cereal crops, were making their way through the farms of southwestern Ontario in the summer of 1914. The army worms, if left to multiply, moved in large ‘armies’ through fields eating everything in their path. While Waterloo region was keeping a watchful eye on the increasing tensions in Europe, the army worm issue was at a forefront of local concerns during the month of July.

On 23 July, the Waterloo Chronicle- Telegraph wrote:

“The army worm is today marching through the county, laying bare a path several miles wide and doing damage the extent of which it is difficult to estimate.”

At this point in the summer, the armyworm had attacked all of the surrounding counties, including Oxford and Brant, and had reached the borders of Waterloo County. The county remained hopeful that they could prevent extensive damage with the help of six agriculture experts who were graduates of the Ontario Agricultural College located in Guelph. With most of southwestern Ontario affected by the pestilence, wheat and other grains were expected to increase in price.

(“Army Worms Cause Much Worry,” Waterloo Chronicle- Telegraph, 23 July 1914; “How to Fight Army Worm,” Hespeler Herald, 30 July 1914)

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Increasing Tensions (25 July 1914)

By acoadmin • On July 25, 1914 • In Summer 1914, Summer 1914', War

On 25 July, Servia responded to Austria’s ultimatum, which had been issued two days earlier on 23 July 1914. Across Waterloo Region, newspapers published articles that explained the demands that Austria had placed on Servia and the Serbian response. The Elmira Signet published this article on July 30 1914, to inform their readership what Servia’s response to Austria was.

Servia agreed to comply with all of Austria’s demands, but had reservations in regards to one point. Austria wanted to be involved in the judicial proceedings against the accessories to the plot that resulted in the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand on 28 June 1914. Servia objected to this demand because it was not customary in international law to allow this type of intervention. The world was unsure how Austria would respond to this reservation.

(“The Troubled East,” Elmira Signet, July 30.)

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Depressed Stock Markets World Wide (25 July 1914)

By acoadmin • On July 25, 1914 • In Economics, Summer 1914, Summer 1914.

The Austro-Serbian situation negatively affected the stock market worldwide. Stock markets in Berlin, London, and New York saw significant drops in market values. The Stock markets reflected fear of a general European conflict growing out of the tensions building between Austria and Servia.

(“Crisis Hurts Markets,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 25 July 1914.)

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Austria Declares War on Servia (28 July 1914)

By acoadmin • On July 28, 1914 • In Summer 1914, Summer 1914', War

On 28 July 1914, Austria declared war on Servia. On 23 July, Austria had issued an ultimatum to Servia. On 25 July, Austria received Servia’s response to the ultimatum. Although Servia agreed to comply completely with all but one demand, Austria was dissatisfied. Austria announced that they did not believe that the Serbian Government was sincere in their response to the ultimatum. Austria did not believe that the Serbian government was determined to put an end to the anti-Austrian sentiments being carried out against the Austro-Hungarian monarchy in Servia and the provinces of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Dissatisfied, Austria declared war on Servia and engaged the Serbian army along the Danube, a river in central and Eastern Europe. In the following days, hostilities between the two armies increased. The world waited anxiously to see if other nations would be pulled into the conflict.

(“Mediation is Urged,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 28 July 1914; “The Troubled East,” Elmira Signet, July 30.)

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Russia Announces Mobilization (29 July 1914)

By acoadmin • On July 29, 1914 • In Summer 1914, Summer 1914', War

On 28 July, Russia, allied with Servia, began partial mobilization of her armed forces. The following day, there were great patriotic demonstrations in St. Petersburg and Moscow to celebrate the mobilization of Russian Forces in the southern and southwestern districts of Russia. This action diminished the chances of maintaining peace in Europe. Germany, allied with Austria-Hungary, immediately warned Russia to stop mobilizing.

By 29 July, officials across Europe still hoped that the war could be localized and contained to an Austro-Serbian engagement. Although Russia stated her mobilization was not directed against Austria, this action was interpreted as a threatening by Austria and her allies, Germany and Italy. At this point, it seemed as though the Austro-Serbian battlefield would continue to expand.

(“Germany Keeps Out,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 28 July 1914; “Mobilization of Russian Troops Diminishes Chances of Maintaining Peace,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 29 July 1914.)

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Threat of a World War (29 July 1914)

By Sonja Schäfer • On July 29, 1914 • In 1914, German Newspapers, Timeline

On July 29, the Berliner Journal reported that Servia had refused to fulfill the demands of Austria-Hungary and instead started mobilizing for war. The newspaper stated that non-Slavic countries in the Dual Monarchy were glad that the “day of reckoning” with Servia had “finally arrived”. Furthermore it reported that people in Berlin and Vienna were enthusiastic about the upcoming war.

BJ-1914-07-29-Threat of a World War

(“Ein Weltkrieg droht” Berliner Journal, 29 July 1914)

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Stock Markets Begin to Close (29 July 1914)

By acoadmin • On July 29, 1914 • In Economics, Summer 1914, Summer 1914.

Austria declared war on Servia on 28 July, Russia began to mobilize during the evening of 28 July, and the world waited anxiously to see if Germany would begin mobilization. As more countries got involved in the conflict, the Stock Markets became more strained. On 29 July, Stock markets in Liverpool, St. Petersburg, and Amsterdam closed until further notice.

(“Mobilization of Russian Troops Diminishes Chances of Maintaining Peace,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 29 July 1914; “Bottom out of Stocks,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 29 July 1914)

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All Hope For Mediation Abandoned (30 July 1914)

By acoadmin • On July 30, 1914 • In Summer 1914, Summer 1914', War

By 30 July, the Austrian army had advanced almost twenty miles (roughly 32 kilometers) into Servia, and was making its way to Belgrade, the capital city of Servia. Artillery battles were underway between the two forces. At this point, the hope that mediation between Austria and Servia would prevent an Austro-Serbian war was gone.

It was evident that the war between Austria and Servia would continue, although it was not known for how long. Delegates turned their attention to Germany, waiting for her decision on whether or not she would enter the war, or guide Austria towards peace. The gravest fear was that all of Europe would be pulled into a general war. Internationally, it was known that the full mobilization of Germany or Russia would cause a ripple effect through Europe. If Germany came to the aid of Austria, then France would help her Russian ally. Next, Italy would provide assistance to Germany and Austria because of their Triple Alliance. Great Britain would then be forced to join the conflict, as she was the third member of the Triple Entente, her alliance with Russia and France. This would result in a war that involved the six most powerful nations in Europe.

(“Serbian Troops Along Danube Put up Stubborn Defence Against Invaders,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 29 July 1914; “The European War Cloud,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 31 July 1914; Photo Origin: London Free Press, 28 July 1914.)