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.”)

On the evening of 4 August, a cabinet meeting was held in Ottawa, to address the financial crisis that was taking place as a result of the war in Europe. Canada’s Minister of Finance, Hon. W.T. White, took measures to ensure that Canada’s finances remained stable during the war. It was the Canadian government’s goal to ensure that business was able to proceed without interruption.

In addition to the steps taken to protect the financial system of the country, the Canadian government also established a system of censorship. A call was made for naval recruits to serve in Halifax for the defence of Canada’s coastline. Although Britain had not yet accepted Canada’s offer for an overseas contingent, Canada took the steps to ensure her own defence.

(“Cabinet to Assist Banks,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 4 August 1914.)

On 5 August, the Berlin Daily Telegraph reprinted an address to the colonies made by King George V of England on 4 August. King George expressed his gratitude for the immediate assurances that each of the colonies made to Great Britain, that they would give their fullest support to the Motherland. He said:

“I shall be strengthened in the discharge of the great responsibility which rests upon me by the confident belief that in this time of trial my Empire will be united, calm and resolute, and trusting in God.”

Canada and the rest of the empire were officially united in their fight against the Triple Alliance.

(“King George to the Colonies,” Berlin Daily-Telegraph, 5 August 1914)

On 4 August, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the leader of the opposition (the Liberal party), announced that he was committed to a truce being observed between the Conservatives and Liberals for the duration of the “grave events.” He also stated:

“The policy of the Liberal party under such painful circumstances is well known. I have often declared that if the Mother Country were ever in danger, or if danger even threatened, Canada would render assistance to the full extent of her power.”

It was evident, only a day after war was declared, that both Canadian political parties were fully committed to the war effort, despite the fact that Great Britain had not fully indicated what type of commitment Canada would be offering yet.

(“Cancels Meetings, Sir Wilfrid Will not Bring Strife into Present Situation,” Berlin Daily-Telegraph, 5 August 1914; Photo Origin: London Advertiser, 4 August 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)

The truce that Laurier declared between the Liberals and the Conservatives in the initial days of the war was still being implemented into the second week of the war. ‘Right thinking’ Canadians recognized that this was not the time for party divisions or fighting. This truce between the parties was to be observed by the public and newspapers alike. It was proclaimed that true patriotism was to “do nothing to rouse political strife when there is need of a united front and united action.” Canadian leaders and the Canadian people understood that their duty was “prompt, wholehearted action” for the empire, which could only occur if they were unified.

(“Canada and the empire,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 11 August 1914, “Canada and the empire,” Waterloo Chronicle Telegraph, 11 August 1914; “Canada in a State of War,” Elmira Signet, 13 August 1914; “United in War,” Elmira Signet, 13 August 1914, “We Stand as One,” Hespeler Herald, 13 August 1914; Visual: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dc/Borden_and_Laurier.jpg/424px-Borden_and_Laurier.jpg)

Robert Laird Borden (left) and Wilfrid Laurier (right) circa 1910

On 14 August, the Hamilton Speculator published an article that defended the honour of Sir Adam Beck, which was reprinted in the Berlin Daily Telegraph. The article explained that although Beck was of German parentage he was thoroughly Canadian and a “thorough Briton.” The article stated that Beck was an example of the German population in the heart of Western Ontario, who all love the “land of their adoption” more than the land where their forefathers came from.

Not unexpectantly, the issue of how to regard German-Canadians was a question that was posed by regular citizens and even prominent politicians and businessmen. Beck was the Minister without Portfolio in Parliament from 1905 to 1914 and was a member of the Remount Committee of the Military Council of Canada, with the rank of Colonel. King George V knighted Beck in 1914 for his promotion of hydro-electricity in Ontario and Canada. Beck later built and expanded the Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario, making him an important figure in Ontario and Canadian history. Despite his service to Ontario and Canada, there were still some who questioned his loyalty when war was declared against Germany. Clearly all German-Canadians would experience some type of scrutiny during the war.

(“Germans in Canada,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 14 August 1914, “Sir Adam Beck Ready,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 14 August 1914; http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/sir-adam-beck/)

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)

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))