1914 | First World War

Page 1

Standard

Special Parliament Session Opened (18 August 1914)

By acoadmin • On August 18, 1914 • In Politics, Summer 1914, Summer 1914,

Parliament convened on 18 August to discuss the war and the type of aid that Canada would provide to Great Britain. This was Canada’s first war session in over a century. The parliament was devoid of politics, unified by their desire to help Great Britain. It was hoped that this truce would be maintained during the entire session so that deliberations would be quick.

Both Sir Wilfrid Laurier, leader of the opposition, and Prime Minister Borden addressed the topic of German-Canadians during this parliamentary session. The two leaders stated that German-Canadian citizens were “certainly amongst our best citizens” and that they had proven their loyalty to Canada and the British Empire. The Waterloo Chronicle-Telegraph and the Elmira Signet reprinted Laurier’s Speech, while the Waterloo Chronicle-Telegraph included a section of Borden’s speech as well. The two newspapers did not reprint the two leaders’ entire speeches, but instead only printed the sections referring to German Canadians. This demonstrates how important these statements about German-Canadians’ loyalty to Canada were for all the citizens in Waterloo Region.

(“Parliament and the War,” Waterloo Chronicle Telegraph, 20 August 1914; “Canadian Parliament Opened,” Elmira Signet, 20 August 1914; “Sir Wilfrid Laurier in the House of Commons,” Elmira Signet, 27 August 1914; “Tributes Paid to German Canadians,” Waterloo Chronicle-Telegraph, 27 August 1914; Sir R.L. Borden in Opening the Special Session of the Dominion Parliament,” Elmira Signet, 27 August 1914; R. Borden, “Canada at War” (speech, Ottawa, ON, 18 August 1914), Wartime Canada, http://www.wartimecanada.ca/sites/default/files/documents/CanadaAtWar.Aug_.1914.pdf)

Standard

Kitchener’s Advice to Soldiers (19 August 1914)

By acoadmin • On August 19, 1914 • In Home Front, Summer 1914, Summer 1914'

On 20 August, the Waterloo Chronicle Telegraph reprinted an article that contained an advice pamphlet written by Lord Kitchener to soldiers in the British Expeditionary Force (BEF). This advice was directed to all soldiers, and was to be carried in each soldier’s active service pay book. Kitchener emphasized one’s duty to serve with honour, discipline and steadiness, and most of all to “do your duty bravely, fear God and honour the King.” Kitchener’s expectations for the BEF were also his expectations for colonial forces, including the Canadian Contingent set to arrive in the fall.

(“Advice to Soldiers,” Waterloo Chronicle Telegraph, 20 August 1914)

Standard

Canadian Volunteers Mobilize (19 August 1914)

By acoadmin • On August 19, 1914 • In Home Front, Summer 1914, Summer 1914'

On 18 August, The Minister of Militia announced that commanding officers throughout Canada were to mobilize the following morning. On the morning of 19 August, troops across Canada began making their way to Valcartier. It was also announced that a total of 22,218 men would be selected, from the 25,000 men who would soon arrive at Valcartier, for the Canadian Expeditionary Force. A detailed list of what personnel would compose the 22,218 can be seen in the article published in the Waterloo Chronicle Telegraph here.

(“To Mobilize Tomorrow,” Waterloo Chronicle Telegraph, 20 August 1914)

Standard

Orders for factories in Waterloo and Berlin (19 August 1914)

By Caterina Katzer • On August 19, 1914 • In 1914, Economics, German Newspapers, Timeline

As a manufacturing town, Berlin’s economy was expanded because of the war. Immediately after the war began, factories in Waterloo and Berlin received contracts worth $150,000 to produce goods and clothes for the Canadian soldiers.

Canadian boot suppliers even hoped to gain a portion of the orders to manufacture boots for the Italian army, but the reporter believed that these types of foreign contracts would more likely be given to enterprises in the United States .

(„150000$ in Kriegslieferungen für Berliner und Waterlooer Fabriken“, Berliner Journal, 19 August 1914; „Neue Kriegslieferungen in Canada“, Berliner Journal, 9 June 1915)

Standard

The opinion of the Berliner Journal (19 August 1914)

By Caterina Katzer • On August 19, 1914 • In 1914, German Newspapers, Timeline

The publishers of the Berliner Journal wanted to make sure that their readers knew they were trying to remain neutral, and did not judge the decisions of world powers simply from a German perspective. Their goal as publishers was to create a neutral German-Canadian newspaper to support German culture in Canada, but not to follow a specific political platform. They also emphasized their understanding of the Anglo-Canadian desire to help Great Britain. The publishers at the Journal expected that the Canadian government would do everything to support the German population in Canada, but realized that would not protect Germans from the negative reactions of some of their neighbours, of course.

(“Der englische, französische, russische Krieg gegen Deutschland und Österreich“, Berliner Journal, 19 August 1914)

Standard

Explanation of Military Terms (20 August 1914)

By acoadmin • On August 20, 1914 • In Home Front, Summer 1914, Summer 1914'

With recruitment ended and troops from across Canada making their way to Valcartier for training, it became evident that Canadians needed to understand the various military terms that would be used in war news articles. Here you can see a list of definitions that the Waterloo Chronicle Telegraph provided their readership with on 20 August 1914.

In addition to explaining military terms, local newspapers also explained the time differences between all of the belligerent countries. This was important, as not every country worldwide had adopted standard time by the outbreak of the war; some areas were still using ‘local time.’ By explaining what time it was in places like Paris, London, St. Petersburg, Vienna, Belgrade, Rome and Berlin, the region’s residents were better informed of time differences across the globe and across the areas involved in the war.

(“Explanation of Militia Terms” Waterloo Chronicle-Telegraph, 20 August 1914; “War News,” Elmira Signet, 13 August 1914.)

Standard

Canadian National Exhibition (20 August 1914)

By acoadmin • On August 20, 1914 • In German-Canadian Identity, Summer 1914, Summer 1914 -

Despite Canada’s preoccupation with the war effort and the mobilization of troops at Valcartier, Canadian culture continued to thrive. Although it was suggested that the Canadian National Exhibition might be cancelled due to the war, the Exhibition was held as planned in Toronto at Exhibition Place. It concluded on Labour Day (7 September) after running for eighteen days. The Exhibition included big attractions such as the Water Carnival featuring the ‘Indian’ canoe races, celebrations for one hundred years of peace with the United States through song, and a performance called ‘Babylon’ that featured over a thousand performers. The large fair provided an entertaining distraction from the European war for thousands of Canadians.

(“Nothing Can Stop It!,” Hespeler Herald, 20 August 1914; Visual: http://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2011_08_27_f1244_it0877_6401.jpg)

Standard

Factories will be Busy (20 August 1914)

By acoadmin • On August 20, 1914 • In Economics, Summer 1914, Summer 1914.

Waterloo Region understood that the war would greatly benefit Canada’s economy, the Elmira Signet going as far as to say “one continent’s ‘down’ is another continent’s ‘up.’” Waterloo region’s factories plunged into wartime production almost immediately. Multiple Berlin and Waterloo industries received large orders from the Militia Department. Trunk companies, leather companies, boot and shoe firms, textile manufacturers and rubber companies in the region were among the many who received contracts across Quebec and Ontario.

An order for 7000 sets of Oliver equipment, 2000 rifle buckets and 5000 rifle slings were divided between the McBrine Company, the Berlin Trunk and Bag Company, and the Duering Trunk Company. Additionally, five boot and shoe companies in the Waterloo Region were to produce 20,000 pairs of shoes, while another company was to produce 10,000 service shirts. These orders needed to be filled within five weeks to secure a second contract with the Militia Department. By mid-August, the already bustling industries in the Waterloo Region were further stimulated by wartime demands.

(“The Outlook in Canada,” Elmira Signet, 27 August 1914; “Factories will be busy,” Waterloo Chronicle-Telegraph, 20 August 1914; “Industry Hysteria,” Waterloo Chronicle-Telegraph, 27 August 1914; “Factories will be busy,” Waterloo Chronicle-Telegraph, 20 August 1914; “Cannot buy German goods,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 11 August 1914.)

Standard

Full Company From Galt (22 August 1914)

By acoadmin • On August 22, 1914 • In Home Front, Summer 1914, Summer 1914'

Galt, Ontario sent almost a full company of the 29^th Highland Light Infantry to Valcartier. On 21 August, 115 men in total left from Galt. The company was composed of 30 men from Preston, two or three from Hespeler, and over eighty from Galt. The large number of men who enlisted from this area stirred the patriotism of the Waterloo Region.

When the men left, approximately 12,000 people from all over Waterloo Region, but especially from Hespeler, Galt and Preston, gathered to give the boys a proper send off. .Such large gatherings were characteristic for the departure of volunteers across Ontario. Each of the Waterloo Region men were given pocket knives as souvenirs. As the men marched through Galt, the Preston Silver Band and the regimental brass and pipe band, and other bands played.

(“Going to the Front,” Hespeler Herald, 20 August 1914; “Full Company Goes From Galt,” Waterloo Chronicle Telegraph, 27 August 1914; “115 Start From Galt,” Waterloo Chronicle Telegraph, 27 August 1914; “Volunteers Leave Galt,” Hespeler Herald, 27 August 1914.)

Standard

Parliament Session Closed (22 August 1914)

By acoadmin • On August 22, 1914 • In Politics, Summer 1914, Summer 1914,

Parliament opened on Tuesday 18 August and closed on Saturday 22 August. This was the briefest Parliamentary session in Canadian history. The five-day session included legislative work for the fiscal changes, including laws regulating banking and currency, which would handle the wartime conditions. Parliament also passed the War Measures Act on 22 August. The Act stated that war had existed since 4 August, and outlined the special powers the Governor-in-Council would take on during the war. This act gave the Canadian Government the means to deal with the war with authority and power. The entire session was carried out smoothly; most of the proceedings were carried out almost unanimously because there was no party strife. This parliament session had record-breaking attendance. Every part of the Dominion, in the Senate and Commons, were largely represented. Canada, as a whole, wanted to help ensure that Canada was prepared as possible to help Great Britain during the war. But would they be able to maintain this unanimity as the war progressed?

(“Canadian Parliament Opened,” Elmira Signet, 20 August 1914; “Parliament Session Closed,” Elmira Signet, 27 August 1914; Canada, Parliament, An Act to confer certain powers upon the Governor in Council and to amend the Immigration Act (Ottawa, ON), 22 August 1914 (http://eco.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm.9_08039/2?r=0&s=1))