1914-07-23 | First World War

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The Ultimatum to Servia (23 July 1914)

By acoadmin • On July 23, 1914 • In Summer 1914, Summer 1914', War

On 23 July, three weeks after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Austria served an ultimatum to Servia in response to the assassination. The Austrian government was primarily concerned with the punishment of the assassins and the elimination of pan-Serbian agitation towards the Austro-Hungarian government, including propaganda, publications and actions that were anti-Austrian in sentiment. The Berlin Daily Telegraph reprinted this article from London, England on 25 July, which explained that if the controversy between Austria and Servia was not handled with delicacy Europe could be pulled into a war. With this news, Canada and the rest of the British Empire were notified that a European war could occur.

(“Austria Warlike,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 25 July 1914.)

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Waterloo Region Cadets Attend Camp in London, Ontario (23 July 1914)

By acoadmin • On July 23, 1914 • In German-Canadian Identity, Summer 1914, Summer 1914 -

In the summer of 1914, London, Ontario hosted the annual Cadet camp, at Carling Heights, for the competition of South-western Ontario Cadet Corps. This was the largest Cadet camp to date since their founding in 1879. Over 1400 cadets participated in this camp. Cadet Corps from Waterloo Region attended this camp and competed in a number of competitions.

In the shooting competitions for the Beck Trophy (named in honour of Sir Adam Beck, Minister without Portfolio in Parliament from 1905 to 1914), the Waterloo Cadets placed second, only four points behind the winners from London. Chatham, Galt and Essex took the subsequent places. The Waterloo Region, therefore, had two of their Cadet corps place in the top four positions, a testament to their skill. The Waterloo and Galt corps continued to place in the top ranks in the other competitions. The oldest cadets at the camp were described as having the assuredness and steadiness of regulars. Unbeknown to them, this type of training would help prepare young Canadians for an upcoming war.

(“Cadet Camp at London,” Waterloo Chronicle- Telegraph, 23 July 1914; “Photo Origin: London Advertiser, 11 July 1914.”)

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Ontario Agriculture Ravaged by Army Worm (23 July 1914)

By acoadmin • On July 23, 1914 • In Economics, Summer 1914, Summer 1914.

Army worms, a pestilence that attacks cereal crops, were making their way through the farms of southwestern Ontario in the summer of 1914. The army worms, if left to multiply, moved in large ‘armies’ through fields eating everything in their path. While Waterloo region was keeping a watchful eye on the increasing tensions in Europe, the army worm issue was at a forefront of local concerns during the month of July.

On 23 July, the Waterloo Chronicle- Telegraph wrote:

“The army worm is today marching through the county, laying bare a path several miles wide and doing damage the extent of which it is difficult to estimate.”

At this point in the summer, the armyworm had attacked all of the surrounding counties, including Oxford and Brant, and had reached the borders of Waterloo County. The county remained hopeful that they could prevent extensive damage with the help of six agriculture experts who were graduates of the Ontario Agricultural College located in Guelph. With most of southwestern Ontario affected by the pestilence, wheat and other grains were expected to increase in price.

(“Army Worms Cause Much Worry,” Waterloo Chronicle- Telegraph, 23 July 1914; “How to Fight Army Worm,” Hespeler Herald, 30 July 1914)