“The unemployed of
the east end, of whom there are a large number, are very disappointed that
their chances of enlisting and being sent on active duty are slight.”
Hamilton Times. August 8, 1914.
There had been a
severe economic turn down beginning in 1913 and still ongoing during the summer
of 1914. Unemployment on a widespread basis had been result, but the east end
of Hamilton certainly was one of the areas most heavily affected.
While the outbreak of
war between Germany and England was cause for concern, the possibilities of a
change of circumstance among those of work in east end Hamilton were seen as
positive:
“The popular opinion
among these is that there is no chance of obtaining employment in the city, and
they had dreamed dreams and seen visions of being shipped back to the old land
free of charge.
“When once they got
there, they would be free to fight for their country’s glory, but many say it
would be a long time before they came out to Canada again.”1
1 “Austrians
of East End Would Go Back : They Realize
the Difficulty and May Try to Get Into the United States.”
Hamilton Times. August 8, 1914.
For many living in
East Hamilton, the hard times that they were enduring, and had been enduring
for more than a year, had killed any patriotism for Canada :
“Hundreds of
Britishers now settled in the east end of Hamilton are sorry they ever left
England, Scotland or Ireland, as they case may be, and they realize that they
have settled in Canada at a poor time in her history.”1
Those who came out
from Great Britain to Canada hoping for steady employment were a large portion
of the east end population but natives from other countries were part of the
unemployed ranks in Hamilton :
“There are not many Germans
in Crown Point and district, but there are many Austrians in the northeast
section, and some of them are trying all they know how to get to the seat of
the war.
“The man who is
acting on behalf of the German consulate is named Louis Ostrizchy, and he keeps
an ice cream and candy store on Ottawa street, north of the Beach road. He has
been in touch by letter and wire with the headquarters at Montreal, and is
rounding up all those who can fight for their country,
“It is recognized
that these men will not be allowed to leave the country, and it is rumored on
good authority that it is intended to try and get them off British soil in
empty box cars, coal trucks and so on and get them to Europe via the United
States.
“There is little likelihood
that their schemes will evade the vigilance of the Canadian officials, and they
may as well be content to stay out of the conflict.”1
With the outbreak of
war, there was concern that there could be unrest among the non-Canadians in
the city :
“The foreigners of
the northeast section generally are taking the matter very philosophically, and
there seems to be little extra excitement among them.
“It was thought at
first that there might be some trouble, but the police are keeping a strong
lookout over their actions and nothing unseemly has occurred to date.”1
No comments:
Post a Comment