13 July 1914

100 years ago today: there is continuing concern regarding the Ulster crisis.  Sir Edward Carson, the leader of the Ulster Unionist Party stated in his 12th July speech that he sees “no hope of peace”.  The Parliamentary correspondent notes that the Government hope to “settle the Irish controversy by the middle of August”. The Government is likely to insist on the exclusion of Ulster from the Home Rule Bill being settled by county referendum.  A new aviation record has been broken by Reinhold Boehme who managed to stay in the air for 24 hours and 12 minutes without a break.

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.

11 July 1914

100 years ago today: the Ulster Provisional Government declares its opposition “to Home Rule and to the present bill which is vicious in principle, inconsistent and unworkable in its details, and disastrous not only to Ireland, but to Great Britain and the Empire” and the Ulstermen are prepared to use any means within their power to resist Home Rule.  The Telegraph correspondent comments that “we are reaching the breaking-point.”  With regards to events in Sarajevo, the Vienna correspondent believes that “Servia will not refuse to fulfil all the just demands of the Monarchy in regard to the outrage at Sarajevo.”

10 July 1914

100 years ago today: the ‘Sarajevo Crime’ reports from Vienna continue.  The Emperor “has consented to a diplomatic step… which will not assume the force of interference in Servia’s sovereign right.”  “Austria-Hungary wishes for peace with Servia but not peace at any price.”  A momentous meeting of the Ulster Unionist Council is taking place and a statement has been issued quoting the constitution of the Provisional Government which states that Ulster “cannot rightfully be forced into subjection of an Irish Nationalist Government” and “will resist the claim of any such Irish Government to exercise powers affecting our liberties and rights.”

9 July 1914

100 years ago today: the Parliamentary Correspondent believes the Government will accept the amendments proposed to the Amending Bill by the House of Lords removing a time limit and allowing for the exclusion of Ulster from the Home Rule Bill.  Two suffragettes are caught attempting to bomb Burns’s Cottage at Alloway and are arrested.  The reports from the joint Ministerial Council in Vienna have “strengthened the certainty felt by the general public that peace will be preserved” as “nothing will be demanded of the Servian Government that can affect their national self-consciousness or the national dignity entrusted to their care.”

8 July 1914

100 years ago today: the Archduke’s assassination was the sole topic of a seven-hour discussion in the joint Ministerial Council in Vienna attended by the Austrian Prime Minister, Hungarian Premier, the War Minister and the Minister for Bosnia.  “A personality in a high position” has stated: “In view of the attitude of the entire Servian Press [which] has first excused the attempt at Sarajevo and now it expresses satisfaction even at the murder.  We can only answer to this that Austria-Hungary, in spite of her love of peace, will turn to the sword if she is forced to do so.”