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Germany Declares War on Russia and France (1-3 August 1914)  

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

On 1 August, Germany issued an ultimatum to Russia to stop mobilizing within twelve hours. Russia did not stop her mobilization and instead ordered complete mobilization. As a result, Germany declared war on Russia. Germany had not yet mobilized but had declared martial law, the suspension of ordinary law during military operations, which indicated that mobilization would occur soon. Although some mediation talks were still being held, Russia’s mobilization and Germany’s declaration of war and of martial law left little hope that a general European war could be avoided.

Since peace seemed unlikely, countries around Europe began to mobilize their armies for defence purposes. Great Britain mobilized her regular army and ordered her navy to be ready in case of emergency. The neutral nations of Belgium, Holland, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, mobilized for their general defence and to prevent their territories from being used as military routes by belligerent countries.

Germany declared war on France on 3 August. Germany demanded that Belgium allow the German forces passage through their borders towards France. Despite the fact that Belgium refused the Germans passage, the German Forces crossed Belgian borders on the morning of 4 August. This action resulted in an ultimatum from Britain, demanding that Germany retreat out of Belgium.

(“Parleys Resumed,” Berlin Daily- Telegraph, 1 August 1914; Photo Origin: London Free Press, 31 July 1914.)

Germany Declares War on Russia (1 August 1914)

 

 

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Britain Needs Canadian Wheat (1 August 1914)  

By • On • In Economics, Home Front, Summer 1914, Summer 1914.

On 1 August, the British War Office asked the Canadian Government how much wheat Canada could send Britain. Great Britain needed to rely on a Canadian wheat supply because the Russian wheat crop could not be counted on like it had been in previous years. Later in the month, Britain requested that they receive as much of the harvest as possible, that Canada did not export grains to countries outside of the empire and that it set reasonable prices.

Traditionally, Canada was not much more than self-sustaining in most of her foodstuffs, with the exceptions of grain production. Canada recognized that Great Britain would become very dependent on Canada for her grain supply, a challenge that Canada was prepared to meet. In addition to grains, Canada also increased her exports of bacon, cheese, and fish to Britain. Canada estimated the upcoming harvest to yield 180,000,000 bushels, which meant that 80,000,000 bushels could be exported. Other members of the British Empire, such as Australia and New Zealand, were also expected to send as much as foodstuff as possible.

(“Canada Will Send Regiment to Front,” Berlin Daily-Telegraph, 1 August 1914; “Can Feed Motherland With Bread and Cheese,” Berlin Daily-Telegraph, 6 August 1914; “War News,” Elmira Signet, 13 August 1914.)

 

Britain Needs Canadian Wheat (1 August 1914)

 

 

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Politicians Travel Back to Ottawa (1 August 1914)  

By • On • In Politics, Summer 1914, 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.”)

 

Politicians Travel Back to Ottawa (1 August 1914)