5 August 1914

100 years ago today: Great Britain has declared war on Germany following the sinking of a British mine-layer by the German fleet.  The Germans are reported to be advancing on Liège and Germany has declared war on France although Austria-Hungary has not yet declared war on either Russia or France.  Britain’s railways have been placed under military control.  The fleet is already on a war footing with the army likely to be so within a few days and the call to arms has been met with a “rapid and enthusiastic response”.  Australia has offered all her ships and 20,000 men. 

4 August 1914

100 years ago today: The German government has demanded free passage of its troops through Belgium and this demand has been rejected.  Sir Edward Grey has declared that Britain will stand by its pledges and defend Belgium’s neutrality. It is now clear that “Great Britain is poised upon the very edge of war with Germany”.  A proclamation will be issued for the mobilisation of Britain’s army; the navy already being placed on a war footing.  German troops have entered Poland and occupied several towns.  It is looking highly likely that Earl Kitchener will be appointed Secretary of State for War.

3 August 1914

100 years ago today: Luxemburg, a neutral state, has been invaded by Germany and its railways have been seized.  France has also been invaded at two points by Germany without any formal declaration of war having been made and the French army is now being mobilised.  The Germans have also taken possession of Arlon in Belgium, thus also violating Belgian neutrality, and have seized two British steamers in the Kiel canal.  The British navy has been mobilised and placed on a war footing with reserves having been called up and this news has resulted in cheering crowds at Buckingham Palace.

2 August 1914

100 years ago today: a special Sunday edition of the Telegraph due to escalating crisis in Europe.  Germany has declared war on Russia.  Both Germany and France have ordered the mobilisation of all their forces.  Italy has declared her intention to remain neutral.  At present the Government has not decided whether to interfere or not with the war in Europe but “it may be taken for granted that [England] will be absolutely loyal to her friends”.  There is very little hope that war between France and Germany will be averted.  The bank rate has increased from eight to ten percent.

1 August 1914

100 years ago today: Russia has declared a general mobilisation of her army and navy and as a result martial law has been declared in Germany.  Whilst there has been no official announcement of mobilisation in Germany, it is believed that Germany and France are preparing to mobilise, and a general mobilisation has been ordered in Belgium, Switzerland and Holland.  There is a report that the Russians have blown up a railway bridge in Austria although this is unconfirmed and German troops have been observed on French border.  The London Stock Exchange has closed and the bank rate has doubled.

31 July 1914

100 years ago today: Germany has demanded an explanation regarding the mobilisation of Russia’s troops. Both France and Germany are believed to be ready to mobilise but have not yet mobilised. Whilst no definite warlike movement has been made in Britain “the nation stands united and ready to face any emergency.”  The second reading of the Amending Bill has been postponed due to the desire of all political parties to present a united front.  The bombardment of Belgrade continues and “has resulted in the destruction of the fortress but the town is undamaged, and the white flag has been hoisted.”

30 July 1914

100 years ago today: Belgrade has been bombarded overnight and shelling has caused great damage in several quarters of the city. Russia has partially mobilised her armies and it seems likely that Germany and France will follow suit.  At present no mobilisation of British forces has taken place according to a statement from the War Office.  The Government is reported to be using its “last ounce of weight in the European political scales” to try to “localise the conflict and restrict its results”. It seems that each nation is preparing for arms and waiting to see what the others do.