1914-07-31 | First World War

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Canada Will Be Ready to Help the Motherland (31 July 1914)

By acoadmin • On July 31, 1914 • In Home Front, Summer 1914, Summer 1914', War

On 30 July, the Canadian Militia Council advised the War Office that, if Great Britain entered the war, Canada would be expected to spring into action quickly. This advice resulted in a special meeting of the Militia Council, on 31 July. The council discussed Canada’s mobilization and the raising of a contingent of 20,000 to 25,000 men, to aid the Imperial Forces in the event of war.

This meeting, and the decision that Canada would raise a contingent, if Great Britain were pulled into the war, was made independent of any request from the British War Council. Although no formal request had yet been made, the Canadian Government wanted Great Britain to know that Canada could be relied on for assistance if needed. At this point Canada’s Regular Forces, the Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR), were ordered to be ready for mobilization.

(“Canada Will Be Ready to Help Motherland,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 31 July 1914.)

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‘We Will Support Mother’ (31 July 1914)

By acoadmin • On July 31, 1914 • In German-Canadian Identity, Home Front, Summer 1914, Summer 1914 -

Canada watched as the Austro-Serbian war began on 28 July and saw the ripple effect it caused through international markets. Canadians, including those in Waterloo Region, were reminded to keep working to maintain the Canadian economy. Canada needed to remain strong, so that when Great Britain called on citizens for support Canadians could display their loyalty through monetary and material support.

In addition to monetary and material support, the Canadian government notified their citizens that Canada would send a contingent to Europe in the event of war. On 31 July, Waterloo Region and the rest of Canada were informed that a plan was in place to send a 20,000 man contingent if war was declared. Additional contingents would be sent if needed.

(“Canada Will Be Ready to Help Motherland,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 31 July 1914.)

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London, England Stock Market Closes (31 July 1914)

By acoadmin • On July 31, 1914 • In Economics, Summer 1914, Summer 1914.

On the morning of 31 July, the Stock Exchanges in New York and London did not open. Although the New York exchange stated that the closure was only for the day, the London exchange was closed until further notice. Across England the public rushed to banks to exchange their bank notes for gold. Panic ensued around the world as people feared the effect the current war was going to have on world economy.

The Berlin Daily Telegraph told their readers to “JUST KEEP on working, Canada is not on the war map.” Although there was concern over the state of the international stock markets, Canadians were told to continue to work and keep the economy going, because Canada would be on the job when “Mother” called for help. Canada, and its cities, would support Great Britain if and when they were asked.

(“No Mobilization Order was Issued in Germany Today as was Expected,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 31 July 1914; “Alternative Currents,” Berlin Daily Telegraph, 29 July 1914.)