1914-07-25aa

 

“Like a bolt from the blue, the ultimatum launched by Austria-Hungary at Servia has startled the whole civilized world, and the grim spectre of war is overshadowing Europe.”

        Hamilton Times.  July 25, 1914
       While the June 28, 1914 assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo had received some attention in the Hamilton newspapers, it was a very minimal nature.
      In early July, 1914, the political unrest in Central and Eastern Europe did not cause many Hamiltonians the slightest concern.
      However, that complacency would abruptly change when it was learned that Austria had issued a stern response to the suspected involvement, or at least tactic support, of the government of Serbia (referred to as Servia in the Hamilton papers) in the assassination.
     The diplomatic crisis came to a boiling point when Austria issued an ultimatum to the Serbs, an ultimatum which demanded an immediate response or war would be declared.
      For Hamiltonians, the following editorials were the first detailed explanation of the grim situation and its implication for a war which would be waged on a wider basis than just between Austria and Serbia.  
     The Hamilton Times editorial forebodingly analyzed the complications in the crisis:
       “The nature of the ultimatum and the urgency of the demand for an early reply point to the assumption that the Austrian Government had deliberated counted the cost of the worst, and is prepared to meet it. Left to themselves, the quarrel might be circumscribed and the rest of Europe left as spectators of the unequal strife. But the danger lies in the belief that the quarrel will not be so confined. Germany is expected to throw its lot with Austria, while Russia will be found behind little Servia. Should war break out, these at least would be involved. But there is no certainty that both France and Britain will not also be drawn into the strife. Russia, France and Britain have a certain working agreement in maintaining the balance of power in Europe, and opposed to them is the Triple Alliance of Germany, Austria and Italy. True, the British Foreign Secretary made it known some time ago that there was nothing in such an agreement to compel Britain to share in active hostilities in such a situation as has now arisen. But a spark may become a conflagration, enveloping the whole of Europe.
      “That the danger is real is seen by the high-handed way in which Servia has been approached. The ultimatum is a distinct slap in the face without even an apology for doing so. Servia’s reply will depend very much upon the encouragement she receives from Russia. Should the Czar decide to take up the quarrel, war is almost inevitable. The money markets have already become panic-stricken. As an evidence of how we are all linked together, Canadian Pacific Railway stocks suffered a decline in the market this morning.”
      “The Dogs of War”
     Hamilton Times.  July 25, 1914.
     The Spectator editorial also analyzed the situation for its readers and was even more frank in what it all might lead to in the not-to-distant future:
         "Austria’s note to Servia may be fraught with the gravest results. It has to do with much more than the assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand and his wife. It may involve all Europe in that awful conflagration which diplomats have striven so long and so anxiously to prevent.
        "We must begin with Austria’s ambition to secure a port on the Aegean Sea and another on the lower Adriatic. She has long had her eye on Salonika in Macedonia, and on Durazzo in Albania. Servia has been the one great obstacle in the way. Had Servia been vanquished or crippled, Austria might have had both ports before the recent Balkan wars. Those wars, however, have given Salonika to Greece, so that an Austrian port on the Aegean Sea is now out of the question. But what about Durazzo? Servia has wanted that port for herself as her western outlet. She was deeply disappointed when the powers gave it to the new independent Albania. And now the verdict of the powers in setting up Albania as an independent state, with Durazzo as its capital and a German prince as its ruler, seems to have miscarried. That prince – the Mpret, as he is called – is scarcely able to maintain his foothold in Durazzo, with the assistance of an international fleet, let alone make his authority felt over the turbulent tribes in the interior. If Austria wants Durazzo, now is a good time to strike. Servia has placed herself in a morally vulnerable position by the evident complicity or sympathy of her officials in the assassination of the heir to the Austrian throne. Why not punish her for this, and at the same reopen the whole question of the disposition of the western half of the Balkan peninsula?
       "Standing alone, Servia could not think of withstanding an invading Austrian army. But Servia, in her dealings with Austria, has in times past been stiffened by the backing of Russia. It will this be seen how near we are to war between Austria and Russia. If France should side with Russia, and take any part in the struggle, the Triple Alliance would come into play of Germany, Austria and Italy. Although there is no alliance, but merely an entente, between Great Britain and her Continental friends, could she altogether avoid being drawn into the maelstrom?
      "We have no fear that Germany would seize such a moment for her long apprehended naval attack upon England. She would have enough on her hands with a war against France on one side, and one against Russia on another. She probably counts upon being able some time to make a surprise attack upon England single-handed. But even if Great Britani were not involved, a war covering practically the whole of Continental Europe would indeed be an Armageddon of the ages. The slain would be numbered by hundreds of thousands. Whether there were changes on the map or not as the outcome, there would be a deluge of blood and an exhausting waste of treasure.”
          “Austria and Servia”
         Hamilton Spectator.  July 25, 1914
    Three days after the editorials appeared, Austria did declare war on Serbia and in doing so lead Russia to mobilize to support her ally.
    "At the same, Germany decide to invade Belgium and Luxembourg as part of its strategy to proceed on to France. As soon as Belgium was entered, it lead England to declare war on Germany. As soon as England was at war, so was Canada.
      "The whole mood of Hamilton would change quickly as a result of all these matters. Patriotic fervor would dominant. Volunteers would soon be clamoring to sign up with the army for a conflict they anticipated would be over by Christmas. Home efforts to support the troops would spring up.
    Hamilton and Hamiltonians would undergo drastic changes as a result of the events detailed in the editorials in July 25, 1914 issues of the Times and the Spectator.