1914 | First World War

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Canada Will Be Ready to Help the Motherland (31 July 1914)

By acoadmin • On July 31, 1914 • In Home Front, Summer 1914, Summer 1914', War

On 30 July, the Canadian Militia Council advised the War Office that, if Great Britain entered the war, Canada would be expected to spring into action quickly. This advice resulted in a special meeting of the Militia Council, on 31 July. The council discussed Canada’s mobilization and the raising of a contingent of 20,000 to 25,000 men, to aid the Imperial Forces in the event of war.

This meeting, and the decision that Canada would raise a contingent, if Great Britain were pulled into the war, was made independent of any request from the British War Council. Although no formal request had yet been made, the Canadian Government wanted Great Britain to know that Canada could be relied on for assistance if needed. At this point Canada’s Regular Forces, the Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR), were ordered to be ready for mobilization.

(“Canada Will Be Ready to Help Motherland,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 31 July 1914.)

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‘We Will Support Mother’ (31 July 1914)

By acoadmin • On July 31, 1914 • In German-Canadian Identity, Home Front, Summer 1914, Summer 1914 -

Canada watched as the Austro-Serbian war began on 28 July and saw the ripple effect it caused through international markets. Canadians, including those in Waterloo Region, were reminded to keep working to maintain the Canadian economy. Canada needed to remain strong, so that when Great Britain called on citizens for support Canadians could display their loyalty through monetary and material support.

In addition to monetary and material support, the Canadian government notified their citizens that Canada would send a contingent to Europe in the event of war. On 31 July, Waterloo Region and the rest of Canada were informed that a plan was in place to send a 20,000 man contingent if war was declared. Additional contingents would be sent if needed.

(“Canada Will Be Ready to Help Motherland,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 31 July 1914.)

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London, England Stock Market Closes (31 July 1914)

By acoadmin • On July 31, 1914 • In Economics, Summer 1914, Summer 1914.

On the morning of 31 July, the Stock Exchanges in New York and London did not open. Although the New York exchange stated that the closure was only for the day, the London exchange was closed until further notice. Across England the public rushed to banks to exchange their bank notes for gold. Panic ensued around the world as people feared the effect the current war was going to have on world economy.

The Berlin Daily Telegraph told their readers to “JUST KEEP on working, Canada is not on the war map.” Although there was concern over the state of the international stock markets, Canadians were told to continue to work and keep the economy going, because Canada would be on the job when “Mother” called for help. Canada, and its cities, would support Great Britain if and when they were asked.

(“No Mobilization Order was Issued in Germany Today as was Expected,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 31 July 1914; “Alternative Currents,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 29 July 1914.)

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Germany Declares War on Russia and France (1-3 August 1914)

By acoadmin • On August 1, 1914 • In Summer 1914, Summer 1914', War

On 1 August, Germany issued an ultimatum to Russia to stop mobilizing within twelve hours. Russia did not stop her mobilization and instead ordered complete mobilization. As a result, Germany declared war on Russia. Germany had not yet mobilized but had declared martial law, the suspension of ordinary law during military operations, which indicated that mobilization would occur soon. Although some mediation talks were still being held, Russia’s mobilization and Germany’s declaration of war and of martial law left little hope that a general European war could be avoided.

Since peace seemed unlikely, countries around Europe began to mobilize their armies for defence purposes. Great Britain mobilized her regular army and ordered her navy to be ready in case of emergency. The neutral nations of Belgium, Holland, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, mobilized for their general defence and to prevent their territories from being used as military routes by belligerent countries.

Germany declared war on France on 3 August. Germany demanded that Belgium allow the German forces passage through their borders towards France. Despite the fact that Belgium refused the Germans passage, the German Forces crossed Belgian borders on the morning of 4 August. This action resulted in an ultimatum from Britain, demanding that Germany retreat out of Belgium.

(“Parleys Resumed,” Berlin Daily- Telegraph, 1 August 1914; Photo Origin: London Free Press, 31 July 1914.)

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Britain Needs Canadian Wheat (1 August 1914)

By acoadmin • On August 1, 1914 • In Economics, Home Front, Summer 1914, Summer 1914.

On 1 August, the British War Office asked the Canadian Government how much wheat Canada could send Britain. Great Britain needed to rely on a Canadian wheat supply because the Russian wheat crop could not be counted on like it had been in previous years. Later in the month, Britain requested that they receive as much of the harvest as possible, that Canada did not export grains to countries outside of the empire and that it set reasonable prices.

Traditionally, Canada was not much more than self-sustaining in most of her foodstuffs, with the exceptions of grain production. Canada recognized that Great Britain would become very dependent on Canada for her grain supply, a challenge that Canada was prepared to meet. In addition to grains, Canada also increased her exports of bacon, cheese, and fish to Britain. Canada estimated the upcoming harvest to yield 180,000,000 bushels, which meant that 80,000,000 bushels could be exported. Other members of the British Empire, such as Australia and New Zealand, were also expected to send as much as foodstuff as possible.

(“Canada Will Send Regiment to Front,” Berlin Daily-Telegraph, 1 August 1914; “Can Feed Motherland With Bread and Cheese,” Berlin Daily-Telegraph, 6 August 1914; “War News,” Elmira Signet, 13 August 1914.)

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Politicians Travel Back to Ottawa (1 August 1914)

By acoadmin • On August 1, 1914 • In Politics, Summer 1914, Summer 1914,

When tensions began to rise in Europe, Canada’s Parliament was not in session and most politicians were away on vacation. As the situation worsened, Prime Minister Borden and other leading politicians made their way back to Ottawa. On the morning of 1 August, Borden arrived back at Parliament Hill. Other leading figures, such as Colonel Samuel Hughes, the Minster of the Militia, were expected to arrive later that day.

A Cabinet meeting was held to discuss what steps needed to be taken to prepare Canada for the possibility of war. If Great Britain declared war, Canada would automatically be at war as well due to their colonial status. It was believed at this point that the first troops that would be called on would be the permanent forces, including the Royal Canadian Engineers and the Royal Canadian Artillery.

(“Canada Will Send Regiment to Front,” Berlin Daily-Telegraph, 1 August 1914; “Photo Origin: London Free Press, 1 August 1914.”)

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Valcartier, Quebec Selected as Canadian Mobilization Base (2 August 1914)

By acoadmin • On August 2, 1914 • In Summer 1914, Uncategorized, War

On 2 August, the Minster of Militia, Colonel Sam Hughes, announced that a base would be constructed just outside of the municipality of Saint Gabriel de Valcartier, Quebec, for the mobilization of a Canadian Expeditionary Force. The camp would be approximately 25 km north of Quebec City and accessible by railroad. The site was selected with the expectation that Canada would receive a call for an overseas force within the next few days. Hughes expected the site to be ready to accept men within a week; however, construction of the site took three weeks. Men began arriving at Valcartier in mid-August for military training before being sent overseas.

(“Contingent may be called for within few days,” London Free Press, 3 August 1914; “Would Join Force,” Berlin Daily- Telegraph, 11 August 1914; “Need Is Exceeded,” Berlin Daily- Telegraph, 14 August 1914; To Mobilize Tomorrow,” Waterloo Chronicle-Telegraph, 20 August 1914; Visual: http://www.canadiangreatwarproject.com/Maps/mapValcartierR.jpg )

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Britain Declares War on Germany (4 August 1914)

By acoadmin • On August 4, 1914 • In Home Front, Summer 1914, Summer 1914', War

When the German Army began to move through neutral Belgium, on the morning of 4 August, Britain issued an ultimatum to Germany to leave Belgian soil, acting as a protector of Belgium. Germany’s disregard for Belgium’s neutrality was in violation of the Hague Treaty, signed in 1907. The Treaty stipulated that Britain, France, Germany and other great powers in Europe guaranteed the neutrality of neutral countries during times of war.

Germany was trying to use Belgium as a route towards the French border, in an attempt to outflank the French army. When Germany did not respond to Britain’s ultimatum by midnight (Berlin time) the ultimatum expired. Shortly after the expiration, Britain received a note from Germany declaring war. This declaration was received at the same time that Britain sent out her declaration of war against Germany. Britain’s declaration of war read:

“Owing to the summary rejection by the German Government of the request made by His Britannic Majesty’s Government that the neutrality of Belgium should be respected, His Majesty’s Government has declared to the German Government that a state of war exists between Great Britain and Germany from 11 o’clock p.m., August 4.”

At 11 p.m. in London, England, the British Empire as a whole was at war with Germany and her allies.

(“Great Britain’s Declaration of War,” Waterloo Chronicle-telegraph, 6 August 1914; “Sir R.L. Borden in opening the special session of the Dominion Parliament,” Elmira Signet, 27 August 1914)

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The Triple Entente and the Triple Alliance (4 August 1914)

By acoadmin • On August 4, 1914 • In Summer 1914, Summer 1914', War

When Great Britain declared war, the long-standing alliances between the European Powers had come to a head. The Triple Alliance was formed in 1883 between Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy, against Russia and France. Great Britain had never been formally part of this alliance, but had been closely linked to it due to her apprehension of French and Russian aggressiveness as well. This, however, changed when Great Britain became wary of Germany’s naval growth after 1902.

As a result Great Britain became aligned with France in 1904 and Russia in 1907 forming the Triple Entente. The Triple Entente sought a balance of power in Europe, a strengthening of the treaty laws to help maintain peace and the status quo, and disarmament across Europe. They also made a commitment to one another to raise a land force and naval force that exceeded the strength of the Triple Alliance’s forces. This commitment was of extreme importance now that all six nations were at war.

(“Triple Entente and the Alliance,” Berlin Daily-Telegraph, 6 August 1914; Visual: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/worldwarone/images/article/alliance_entente.gif)

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Celebration at the Declaration of War (4 August 1914)

By acoadmin • On August 4, 1914 • In German-Canadian Identity, Home Front, Summer 1914, Summer 1914 -

On the evening of 4 August, hundreds of people had been waiting impatiently on the streets for any type of war news. When news reached Berlin, and the rest of Waterloo Region, at 9:30 p.m. that Great Britain had declared war on Germany, the people were gripped with wild excitement. The news was posted on the window of the Berlin Daily Telegraph office, and was later followed by an “Extra.” When it was announced that Germany responded with her own declaration of war against Great Britain, the Star Theatre pianist began to play “Rule Britannia” and the crowd began to cheer.

While some celebrated the declaration of war, it is evident that others in the community had mixed feelings about the war. Catherine Olive Breithaupt, the seventeen-year-old daughter of the Louis Jacob Breithaupt, who was the president of the thriving Breithaupt Leather Company, stated: “I am not extra proud of my Teutonic blood tonight.” This diary excerpt depicts the conflict German-Canadians in Waterloo Region would face during the upcoming war with Germany.

(“Wild Excitement When News Reached Berlin That War Was Declared,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 5 August 1914; Breithaupt, Catherine Olive. 1914 Diary (Breithaupt Diary Collection, Rare Books Room at Dana Port Library, University of Waterloo), 3 August 1914.)