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“Opening of the Dominion Parliament” (26 August 1914)

By • On • In 1914, German Newspapers

In a speech given at the opening of the Dominion Parliament in late August, 1914, it was said that “Germans in Canada belong to the best citizens. Great Britain does not fight the war against the German nation itself. The Asquith government had tried very hard to avoid the war, but Germany and Austria-Hungary had insisted on it. Germany had intended to hurt Belgian neutrality.” The speech was made before a vote on the Canadian war budget, and again emphasized a belief that the German government, and not the German people, were to blame for the current state of affairs.

The difficult position of the German-Canadians (17 February 1915)

A speech given six months later by Sir Wilfrid Laurier noted that the position of the German-Canadians would continue to be difficult. Blood would be thicker than water and nobody remaining at home in Canada would require the same sacrifices as the Germans yet the things demanded from the German-Canadians, were being fulfilled whole-heartedly.

BJ-1914-08-26-“Opening of the Dominion Parliament”

(„Eröffnung des Dominion Parlaments“, Berliner Journal, 26 August 1914; „Sir Wilfrid Laurier…“, Berliner Journal, 17 February 1915)

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An Escalating War (27 August 1914)  

By • On • In Summer 1914, Summer 1914', War

As the month of August progressed, stories of German atrocities were relayed to Canadians. A number of Belgian towns and villages had been destroyed. Thousands of Belgians had died in the struggle to protect their country from the Germans, who had violated their neutrality in early August, during the Siege of Liege from 4 to 16 August. By mid August the Germans were said to be occupying Brussels, and the Belgian government was now operating out of Antwerp as a result. Switzerland too was beginning to suffer as well, specifically their food supply, despite their neutrality.

The Germans then began  advancing to  the French border . The French were holding their own against the attacks, aided by the British Expeditionary Force, who had just landed in France. The British Forces were lead by General John French, who was received warmly in Paris. The Russians were making their way towards the eastern German border as quickly as possible. There was however no definitive news on the movements of the British and German Navies. Overall it was evident that the war was quickly escalating by the end of August. Back in Canada, the First Contingent was still being trained, and it was announced that a Second Contingent would be raised.

(“Big Force on Move,” Waterloo Chronicle Telegraph, 13 August 1914; “German Army is Advancing through Heart of Belgium,” Waterloo Chronicle Telegraph, 13 August 1914;“War News From Europe,” Elmira Signet, 13 August 1914; “King Albert of Belgium. His Stand Against Germany Forced Britain to Intervene,” Ayr News, 20 August 1914;  “War News,” Elmira Signet, 20 August 1914; “Bombard Unfortified City,” Ayr News, 27 August 1914; “Fled Before the Germans,” Ayr News, 27 August 1914; “Latest Reports Say Allies Are Holding Enemy,” Elmira Signet, 27 August 1914.)

 

 

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Vandalism of the Kaiser Bust in Berlin, Ontario and other acts of hostility towards German-Canadians (27 August 1914)

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

Numerous articles were reprinted in the Waterloo Region newspapers that discussed accusations against German-Canadians.In London, Ontario, The London Advertiser denounced accusations that German residents were wrecking trains and spying for the Kaiser, stressing that most German-Canadians had been born in Canada and were loyal to the British Empire. The Montreal Herald reminded their readers, “we do not need to fight these battles over again by saying things to each other,” in an attempt to reduce hostilities towards German-Canadians in Quebec. Despite the inclusion of all these articles, and other articles in Waterloo Region newspapers, hostility was still present in Waterloo Region towards German-Canadians.

On 27 August, the bust of Kaiser Wilhelm I was removed from its pedestal in Victoria Park, Berlin and thrown into the park lake. The Kaiser bust was erected in 1897, one year after the park was opened and a statue of Queen Victoria was erected in 1909. The statue of the Queen was left unmarked in August 1914. This act of vandalism greatly upset the German-Canadians in the region and outraged Mayor Euler who stated that “the deed was one of the most outrageous ever committed in the city” and that the city’s citizens were undeserving of this humiliation. Prior to this vandalism, a German flag had also been destroyed at the park, indicating that the hostility towards German-Canadians, and residents of German origin, was increasing in the region.

(“Insulting German Canadians (The London Advertiser),” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 15 August 1914, “Our German Citizens (Montreal Herald),” Hespeler Herald, 20 August 1914, “The Standpoint of German Canadians,” Elmira Signet, 3 September 1914, “Bust of Kaiser Thrown into Lake,” Elmira Signet, 27 August 1914, “Kaiser Wilhelm I Bust Thrown in Park Lake,” Waterloo Chronicle-Telegraph, 27 August 1914; Visual: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ca/VictoriaPark-Kitchener-KaiserBust-1914.jpg)

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Governor General Connaught is Staying in Canada (27 August 1914)  

By • On • In Politics, Summer 1914, Summer 1914,

It was officially announced that the Duke of Connaught would remain in Canada as Governor-General as a consequence of the war. The Duke’s term was supposed to end in October 1914, but it would now be extended indefinitely. The duke’s wife, Princess Margaret of Prussia and their daughter Princess Patricia, would also remain in Canada. This decision took the Duke’s familiarity with Canada and his expertise in public and military affairs into consideration. Additionally, this meant that the Duke, the seventh child and third son of Queen Victoria would continue to represent the Royal family and their interests in Canada during the war. The fact that his Prussian wife remained as well demonstrated that there could still be unity between British and Germans on Canadian soil.

(“Connaught is to Stay Here,” Hespeler Herald, 27 August 1914.)

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German-Canadians in Europe (September 1914)

By • On • In 1914, German Newspapers, Timeline

Several Waterloo region citizens of German origin had been in Europe when they were surprised by the outbreak of the war. In September 1914, the Berliner Journal reported on their problems trying to get back to Canada. Most of them had to stay in Europe longer than expected as the ships did not sail. Nevertheless, they sent letters home to inform the community of their whereabouts. Later that year, a Canadian citizen of German origin who was travelling through Europe when the war broke out returned to Waterloo and reported that he had been arrested in Germany due to his Canadian citizenship. After several weeks he was allowed to return home but had to follow a specific route, otherwise he would have been arrested again.

BJ-1914-09-02-German-Canadians in Europe

(“Von den Berlinern” Berliner Journal, 02 September 1914; “Wieder daheim” Berliner Journal, 23 September 1914; “Die Erlebnisse” Berliner Journal, 06 January 1915)

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Proclamation of the Government (2 September 1914)

By • On • In 1914, German Newspapers, Politics, Timeline

In September, the Berliner Journal printed a proclamation from the Canadian government, stating that “all persons in Canada of German or Austro-Hungarian nationality quietly pursuing their ordinary vocations would be allowed to continue to enjoy the protection of the law,” whereas soldiers, officers, people trying to leave the country, and those who “engage in espionage”, or any other suspicious behavior, would be arrested.

The German population therefore was worried about their safety, “freedom to hold property or to carry on business”, and possible resentment they faced. Two weeks later the government released a public notice, stating that “so long as [persons in Canada of German or Austro-Hungarian nationality] respect the law” they were protected by the law and had “nothing to fear”.

Furthermore, the editors of the Berliner Journal calmed their readership down. They clarified that only property of immigrants who were not naturalized, i.e. did not have the Canadian citizenship, would be confiscated. They justified the proclamation by explaining the difficult situation due to the war. However, they recommended to their readers that they become naturalized in order to prevent further problems.

BJ-1914-08-12-German spies

(“Proklamation” Berliner Journal, 2 September 1914; “Oeffentliche Bekanntmachung” Berliner Journal, 16 September 1914; “Unser Artikel“ Berliner Journal, 30 September 1914)

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Being German-Canadian (3 September 1914)

By • On • In Fall 1914, German-Canadian Identity

Several Waterloo Region newspapers raised questions regarding the region’s German heritage and the implications that heritage would have on the war effort. As the war proceeded, local newspapers addressed the loyalty questions that surrounded German-Canadians which suggests that this was a genuine attempt to recognize these individuals as citizens and not a form of propaganda. This article outlines the magnificence of modern Germany and the rich heritage German-Canadians had. It returns to the issue of loyalty by stating that British democracy and Canadian values have made a more wholesome society than Germany, stating, “is there a freer country under the sun than Canada?” This article concludes by urging those of German background to become immersed in Canadian society and support the cause of the allied nations, as they should as Canadian citizens.

(“German-Canadians“ Elmira Signet, 3 September 1914)

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Hespeler Women’s Patriotic League (3 September 1914)

By • On • In Fall 1914, German-Canadian Identity, Home Front

This was the second meeting of the Hespeler Women’s Patriotic League. After much discussion it was decided that the women of Hespeler would knit sweaters, cuffs and belts for the recently departed volunteers. Since the war was declared eighteen residents of Hespeler had gone to Valcatier for training. During this meeting it was announced that Hespeler was to contribute men to the Canadian Second Contingent. This announcement strengthened the Local Mother’s League’s resolve to continue to supply clothing for volunteers. Roughly $4.25 was donated to the league, along with materials for textile production, to aid their efforts.

(“Hespeler Women’s Patriotic League“ Hespeler Herald, 3 September 1914)

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Squint Column (3 September 1914)

By • On • In Fall 1914, German-Canadian Identity

The Hespeler Herald provided a column in their weekly issue that contained short satirical snippets about the news, along with brief propaganda promotions. Their 3 September issue included quips from the frontlines such as “the Belgians are certainly a bunch of busy little b’s” and “the Germans have occupied Huy, but they had a Huy of a time doing so.” This column also promoted the purchase of British and Canadian goods, to help stimulate the local economy. The Hespeler Herald provided a satirical outlet in an attempt to offset the overall serious tone of the newspaper’s articles that covered the war but was the only newspaper in the region which offered such a column.

(“Squint“ Hespeler Herald, 3 September 1914)

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