1914 | First World War

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“Germany and the German socialist abroad” (5 August 1914)

By Caterina Katzer • On August 5, 1914 • In 1914, German Newspapers, Timeline

In the years leading up to the war, Canadian immigration was at an all-time high. Many of these immigrants came directly from Germany and arrived with different political and nationalistic ideals. This article was written by a German immigrant and addressed other recent German immigrants who held socialist views and were opponents of the German emperor. The writer admitted that socialist ideas could be useful, but argued that it did not mean that one cannot love his homeland and worship Kaiser Wilhelm. He claimed that Germany was the best ruled country in the world under the emperor’s constitutional monarchy. The author dismissed the complaint of the socialists that Germany was wasting money on a massive army and navy. Peace in the world was a nice ideal, the article continued, but was not possible at this time. The writer claimed that Kaiser Wilhelm had led Germany to its leading position in the civilized world and that the disarmament of the German army would lead to unemployment.

This strong defence of German militarism is interesting coming just after the declaration of war. In the future, the Berliner Journal would be forced to choose the words it spoke about Germany and the Kaiser much more carefully.

(„Deutschland und der deutsche Sozialist im Ausland“, Berliner Journal, 5 August 1914)

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Canadian Recruitment (5 August 1914)

By Caterina Katzer • On August 5, 1914 • In 1914, German Newspapers, Home Front, Timeline

When the outbreak of the war became public in Canada, volunteers to support Great Britain were searched for immediately. The Parliament held a special session to discuss what to do about the war and to prepare the Canadian military.

On August 12, 1914 it was reported that the Canadian government had asked for 21,000 volunteers to send to Great Britain, but that more than 60,000 men had rushed to enlist. Therefore, there would be a medical examination included at the enlistment facilities in order to find the healthiest and strongest men. Also, recruits would be divided into three groups: 1) single men; 2) married men; and 3) fathers with children. New recruits would be chosen from those who enlisted in that order.

The paper also reported that Canada had bought two submarines, which they would provide to the British navy. Canadian soldiers would leave for training in about two weeks, at which point they would meet at Quebec and then travel to England. The first Canadian troops landing in Great Britain were announced in the issue of October 14, 1914. The British government was pleased with the troops, but asked Canada to send more money to purchase military equipment as well. By October 21, thirty young people from Berlin had volunteered for the second Canadian contingent, and Berlin had raised $896,726 for the Patriotic Fund.

(“Die kanadische Regierung…”, Berliner Journal, 5 August 1914; „Kurze Lokalnotizen“, Berliner Journal, 21 October 1914; „Die Freiwilligen für das dritte Kontingent…“, Berliner Journal, 3 February 1915)

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The outbreak of the war (5 August 1914)

By Caterina Katzer • On August 5, 1914 • In 1914, German Newspapers, War

On August 5, 1914, the headline story of the Berliner Journal dealt with the outbreak of the war in Europe and tried to interpret the events that were happening. The story stated that Russia, in cooperation with France, started the war with Germany and Austria-Hungary, and that the German emperor should have tried to keep peace with the British until the last minute. In addition, Italy, which had an alliance with Germany and Austria-Hungary, betrayed them by not helping the two countries militarily, as they were supposed to do. Great Britain was not sure about what to do now, but would likely remain loyal to France in whatever it decided.

A speech from Kaiser Wilhelm was printed as well. It said that envious people forced Germany into this war to defend itself. All German ships, which lay in Canadian harbors, should leave this country and sail to the USA. At the end of the article, the publishers of the Berliner Journal acknowledged that they had received lots of information in the last few days, but that they doubted some of its authenticity; at this point, most information was probably no more than rumors.

This rendition of events provided by the Berliner Journal contrasts sharply with those reported in the local English papers. Interestingly, no mention was made of Germany’s betrayal of Belgian neutrality, nor of the celebratory attitude felt by many of the English residents of Waterloo County. With this declaration of war, many German-Canadians officially found themselves caught between their own nationalistic sympathies, and those of the country within which they resided.

(“Kriegsfackel in Europa entzündet”, Berliner Journal, 5 August 1914)

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Boot and Shoe Manufacturers to Convene in Berlin, Ontario (5 August 1914)

By acoadmin • On August 5, 1914 • In Economics, Summer 1914, Summer 1914.

On 5 August, just one day after war was declared, a convention of boot and shoe manufacturers of Ontario met in Berlin, Ontario. Manufacturers from Waterloo Region, including Waterloo, Berlin and Preston, as well as others from areas such as Brampton, Aurora and Toronto attended. The convention addressed the prospects that the war held for the province’s shoe trade. These manufacturers were aware that the war would likely result in an increased demand for their products. As a result, the province’s manufacturers met to discuss price regulations and price increases, foreseeing an increase in the price of leather due to wartime conditions. The local Breithaupt family, the owners and operators of the Breithaupt Leather Co., entertained the visitors at the Berlin Country Club.

The shoe manufacturers predicted that: “Soldiers on the march will wear out a pair of shoes in a month.”

The boots that needed to be made for the Canadian Forces would be made from a pattern that had proved satisfactory for Canadians in the South African War. It would later be realized that the boots issued to Canadian Soldiers in 1914 could not withstand marches on metaled roads, the wet weather of England, and trench conditions. As a result, a new model was introduced, which came to be known as the 1915 Canadian Variety Boot.

(“Boot and Shoe Manufacturers Convene Here,” Berlin Daily-Telegraph, 6 August 1914, Colonel G.W.L. Nicholson, Canadian Expeditionary Force 1914-1919 (Ottawa: Queen’s Printer, 1962), xiii; Visual: http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/257/48thcefboots.jpg)

These were the 1915 Canadian Variety Boot worn by the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War.

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The Canadian Government Prepares for War (5-6 August 1914)

By acoadmin • On August 5, 1914 • In Politics, Summer 1914, Summer 1914,

On 5 August, it was announced that the Canadian Cabinet had called a special session of parliament to meet on Tuesday 18 August. The session was deemed necessary after Canada was officially informed that the Britain had declared war against Germany on 4 August 1914. Prime Minister Borden did not announce what types of proposals would be presented to the parliament, but it was evident that the parliament would need to pass legislation in regards to the war effort.

The Minster of Militia, Samuel Hughes, was given authorization by the Canadian government to carry out partial mobilization. Already the Royal Canadian Regiment, Canada’s permanent force, had been mobilized and sent to strategic ports for the coastal defense of Canada. Until the imperial government announced what they wanted Canada to do there would be no general mobilization. An order for the mobilization of at least 20,000 men was expected to come within the next few days. That order arrived on 6 August and Hughes immediately sent notices to the pre-existing military districts across Canada to begin recruitment.

(“House is Summoned,” Berlin Daily-Telegraph, 5 August 1914, Visual: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/55/Royal_Regiment_of_Canada.jpg)

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Call for Volunteer Nurses (6 August 1914)

By acoadmin • On August 6, 1914 • In Home Front, Summer 1914, Summer 1914'

On 6 August, the Canadian National Nurses Association made the call for volunteer nurses. Women who were willing to perform their duty to the empire on the field of battle and wherever else they were needed were asked to answer this call. Only those who were prepared for such a duty were asked to register their names with Miss Rodgers, the Superintendent of the Berlin & Waterloo Hospital, or Miss Masters, the Secretary of the Graduate Nurses’ Association in the Waterloo Region. By 8 August, five young women from the region had offered their services and reported to Miss Masters. The women would join the volunteer Red Cross Society in overseas service with the first contingent.

(“Volunteer Nurses Wanted for War Duty,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 6 August 1914; “Five have Volunteered,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 8 August 1914; “Five have Volunteered,” Waterloo Chronicle Telegraph, 13 August 1914)

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Berlin Band Concert This Evening (6 August 1914)

By acoadmin • On August 6, 1914 • In German-Canadian Identity, Home Front, Summer 1914, Summer 1914 -

Life proceeded normally in Waterloo region for the first few days after war was declared. Waterloo region’s industries continued to bustle, and so did their festivities. On 6 August, the Berlin City Band played in the Market Square. They performed many traditional German, Czech, Italian and British songs. What is important to note about their program is the emergence of songs like “The Volunteers” with its patriotic message. As the month progressed, patriotic songs became more prominent in band concerts across the region in response to the war. This demonstrated the region’s urge to display patriotism and their support of the British Empire during the war.

(“Band Concert This Evening,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 6 August 1914; “Patriotic Band Concert,” Ayr News, 13 August 1914; “Band Will Play Tonight,” Ayr News, 20 August 1914; “Concert a Fine One,” Waterloo Chronicle Telegraph, 27 August 1914.)

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Canada Can Feed the Motherland (6 August 1914)

By acoadmin • On August 6, 1914 • In Economics, Summer 1914, Summer 1914.

By 6 August, Canadians were adamant that they could help the motherland by feeding her people. Prior to war, two-thirds to three quarters of Great Britain’s food supply was actually imported goods from Canada, the United States, India, Argentina, and Australia. Canada traditionally supplied one third of Great Britain’s wheat and flour.

There was normally only enough food in the United Kingdom at one time to feed its inhabitants for a maximum of six to seven weeks, meaning that if Britain did not receive its imports, it would likely be starved into submission. It was up to Canada, and the other members of the British Empire, to help make sure that that did not happen. Canada would supply Great Britain with grains, bacon, fish and cheese, but would not be able to supply much more than that. Canada’s foodstuff contributions were part of her patriotic and imperialistic duties to Great Britain.

(“Can Feed Motherland with Bread and Cheese,” Berlin Daily-Telegraph, 6 August 1914, “Britain is Quiet,” Berlin Daily-Telegraph, 6 August 1914; Visual: http://ao.minisisinc.com/WEBIMAGES/I0002281.jpg)

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The War’s Impact on Canada’s Agriculture (6 August 1914)

By acoadmin • On August 6, 1914 • In Economics, Summer 1914, Summer 1914.

Immediately after the war was declared economists, and many others, became concerned with how the war would affect the Canadian market. By 6 August, there was already a price increase in sugar and flour, which were two of the main necessities of Canadian homes. It was also predicted that the prices of other foodstuff and clothing would increase in the near future.

On 6 August, the Berlin Daily Telegraph reported that Mr. J. Uffelman, of the Ontario Seed Company, stated that while the war would not affect the 1914 harvest, next year’s harvest might be affected. This was because the war might potentially prevent the importation of certain varieties of seeds, especially those that were normally imported from Germany. This would affect the Waterloo Region, where some farmers grew a European variety of rye.

(“Prices for Foodstuffs Increasing,” Berlin Daily-Telegraph, 6 August 1914)

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German Canadians and the War (7 August 1914)

By acoadmin • On August 7, 1914 • In German-Canadian Identity, Summer 1914, Summer 1914 -

On 7 August, the Berlin Daily Telegraph reprinted an article from the Toronto Globe on the presence of German-Canadians, including those in Berlin and Waterloo, during the crisis. The politically charged article stated that the war was not against Germany, or Germans, but against the Bismarckian system of government that reigned over Germany. The article stated that this government system threatened the freedom of the rest of the world and that Britain, and subsequently Canada as well, needed to stand against this threat. Britain was therefore fighting for freedom, not for glory or gain.

The article addressed the sentiment of the thousands of citizens in Berlin and Waterloo, and the smaller German communities across Ontario and Canada. Austrians and Germans with Canadian citizenship were willing to join in the fight against their ancestral countries. This did not mean that these citizens did not still love their ancestral lands. They would answer Great Britain’s call to arms because it was for freedom and because:

“They know better than an English-Canadian or French-Canadian among us, that the whole system of autocratic and militarist despotism, is doomed, damned and doomed.”

(“German-Canadians and the War,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 6 August 1914.)