Week of 20-25 July 1914

100 years ago this week: the Ulster crisis continues to dominate the news with the King stepping in to invite the representatives from all parties to a conference at Buckingham Palace in the hope of reaching an agreement.  Unfortunately with both sides remaining unyielding, this was unsuccessful and the second reading of the Amending Bill is planned for Tuesday.  Austria-Hungary has presented a note detailing its demands to Servia  and given a deadline for Servia to issue a declaration by 7pm on Saturday 25 July.  There is increasing concern that Servia will not comply and war may now be inevitable.

Week of 13-18 July 1914

100 years ago this week: The news has  been dominated by concern over the continuing crisis regarding Ulster and the Amending Bill which had its third reading in the House of Lords and is about to have its second reading in the House of Commons.  The King is inspecting the naval fleet which has been placed on a war footing as part of a planned exercise.  Reports are being received from the Vienna correspondent that relations between Austria-Hungary and Servia are becoming strained and by the end of the week, Servia is described as being on “half its war footing”.

Week of 6 - 11 July 1914

100 years ago this week: Home Rule and the Amending Bill  are dominating the news with the House of Lords allowing for partition of Ireland and the Ulster Provisional Government firmly stating their opposition to Home Rule and their intention to use whatever means necessary to resist.  Lengthy discussions have taken place in Vienna regarding the events in Sarajevo and the demands which will be placed on Servia as a result which are believed to be just and hopefully will preserve peace.  The funerals of the Archduke and his wife and the politician Joseph Chamberlain have also been reported on.

Week of 29 June 1914 – 4 July 1914

100 years ago this week: the first part of the week focused on the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife in Sarajevo and the anti-Servian demonstrations that occurred in Sarajevo and Vienna as a result.  There is concern that these events may pose a danger to the fragile peace of Europe but this view is later discredited.  By mid-week, this had slipped further down the headlines and matters closer to home were the focus – the debate in the House of Lords on the Government of Ireland Bill, the King’s visit to Shrewsbury and the death of Joseph Chamberlain.