The front page of the Advertiser, 5 August, 1914
Advertiser – August 1914
In August 1914 The Advertiser was full of news from Europe, but it is clear that this war would have significant impacts in South Australia, as well.
THE BONDS OF EMPIRE.
Britain’s sons, though scattered far and wide. All over the surface of the habitable globe, and separated in some cases from the Mother country by thousands of leagues of rolling ocean, will not remain passive spectators of any conflict in which the United Kingdom may be involved. Already there have been presented by Canada, New Zealand, and the Commonwealth patriotic offers of military and naval assistance which will serve at once to demonstrate to friends at home and foes abroad that “the bonds of Empire,” of which so much has been heard of late, are no merely imaginary ties, but stoutly riveted links.
WAR WITH GERMANY
Mr. Glynn (Minister of External Affairs) received a telegram from the Prime Minister (Mr. Joseph Cook)at about 1 o’clock on Wednesday afternoon stating that official information has been received that war has broken out with Germany. Mr. Cook also stated:— “Australia is now at war.”
The Governor-General has received a cable stating that war has broken out between Great Britain and Germany, and also messages expressing appreciation of Australia’s offer of an expeditionary force.
The German cargo steamer Pfalz left her berth at Melbourne on Wednesday morning to proceed to sea, but inconsequence of official intervention she had to return to her berth.
GERMANS SING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM.
During the course of the meeting a telegram was received from Stockport, and was read by the Mayor of Adelaide (Mr. A.A. Simpson) who presided. It stated: “Splendid meeting, 150 present, practically all Germans; sang National anthem.” The message was received with loud cheers, and Mr. Simpson expressed the opinion that the loyalty of all Germans in South Australia was “beyond question. As soon as the meeting was over, Mr. T. H. Jones struck up the National Anthem on the organ, and everybody present joined heartily in singing “God Save the King.” The gathering terminated with enthusiastic cheers for His Majesty.
PATRIOTIC DEMONSTRATION.
Seldom has a more fervent demonstration of loyalty and devotion to his Majesty the King been given in Adelaide than the one organised by the A.N.A. which was hold on Saturday afternoon. More than 20,000 persons, it is estimated, gathered in Elder Park to hear patriotic speeches and sing patriotic songs. The crowd extended down to the bank of the river, and out on to the roadway. Patriotism was the keynote. The slightest reference to the King, Mr. Asquith, or Sir Edward Grey, the French, the Russians or the Belgians proceeded tumultuous applause. Persons on the outskirts of the crowd who could not bear a word joined in the applause with vigor.
PRIZES OF WAR.
MANY GERMAN MERCHANT-MEN CAPTURED.
Unless the German steamers scheduled to come to Port Adelaide have received news by wireless of the outbreak of war some are destined to be captured sooner or later as prizes of war. They have little chance of obtaining coal supplies, and must inevitably be secured unless they can reach some neutral port.
DETAILS OF THE STATE’S QUOTA.
The details regarding South Australia’s quota of the expeditionary forces, telegraphed on Monday afternoon by Inspector-General Bridges, to the State Commandant (Colonel Irving), contain the information so anxiously awaited. The Army Service Corps and the A.MC Engineers are included comprising a fighting force and the administrative department. The Whole of the Commonwealth forces will thus make a complete and self-supporting unit. The quota totals 1,583 men. There will be two squadrons of Light Horde, numbering 308 men, a battalion of infantry of 1,023 men, a section of the ammunition column, comprising 152, and A.S.C. and A.M.C. engineers to the number of 100.
RED CROSS SOCIETY.
Attention has been drawn lately to the work of the Red Cross Society, and Lady Helen Munro Ferguson is anxious that branches should be formed in the various States of the Commonwealth. Lady Galway and the Mayoress of Adelaide have moved in the matter, and, as will be seen in our advertisement columns, a public meeting is to be held at the Banqueting room, Town Hall, on Friday, August 14. It is hoped there will be a large and representative gathering to hear the address of Lady Galway. In consideration of the importance of this meeting, the South Australian Council of Women, which was to have met on the same day and at the same time for a similar purpose, will postpone its own meeting and co-operate with the Red Cross Society.
WATTLE DAY.
NATIONAL INSTITUTION.
TO-DAY’S CELEBEATION.
To-day is Wattle Day. The minds of Australians will be withdrawn-for few hours from the battlefields of far-off Europe and focussed on their own dear land. In Adelaide and throughout South Australia the flower that has been selected as the national emblem will be proudly worn by citizens. Statues, and public buildings will be decorated with wattle, wattle will be’ displayed in practically every shop window, sprigs of the precious blossom will meet the eye everywhere in the streets, and in the solitudes of the bush nature will wear the golden glory and breathe the subtle fragrance
