Canadian Military History

Volume 21 Issue 2 Article 5

2015

“We Germans…are British Subjects” The First World War and the Curious Case of , , Canada

William J. Campbell

Follow this and additional works at: https://scholars.wlu.ca/cmh

Part of the Military History Commons

Recommended Citation William J. Campbell "“We Germans…are British Subjects” The First World War and the Curious Case of Berlin, Ontario, Canada." Canadian Military History 21, 2 (2015)

This Article is brought to you for free and open access by Scholars Commons @ Laurier. It has been accepted for inclusion in Canadian Military History by an authorized editor of Scholars Commons @ Laurier. For more information, please contact [email protected]. : “We Germans…are British Subjects” The First World War and the Curious Case of Berlin, Ontario, Canada “We Germans…are British Subjects” The First World War and the Curious Case of Berlin, Ontario, Canada

William J. Campbell

hen news of the outbreak of Empire, and thus the Canadian war in Europe reached Canada Abstract: In 1914 when news of war effort. But, such a response by W war erupted in Canada, some of the in 1914, most of the ’s Berliners should hardly be classed loudest voices of support rang from population embraced the call-to- the largely German population of as contributing to the maintenance arms. The nation stood “Loyal Berlin (now Kitchener), Ontario. But, of a strong imperial identity in and Steady” ’s Daily News far from being unflinchingly united Canada, nor should it be lumped proudly announced, “united from behind the Allied war effort, the in with nationalistic sentiment that responses of the community appear ocean to ocean.”1 Canadians, Prime developed in rejection of British considerably more pragmatic. As this Minister Robert Borden insisted, article argues, Berliners addressed imperialism. To be sure, the First would not sit idly by as Kaiser local and national pressure by either World War played a pivotal role in Wilhelm’s army lay ruin to Europe. meeting the wartime status quo, or by the development of what Carl Berger Borden’s prediction did not unfold attempting to subtly evade demands suggests was the imperial-minded that threatened to undermine or as smoothly as envisioned. The form of nationalism in English- target German culture and community country may have entered the First cohesion. In the end, local events and Canada, and the anti-imperial World War without hesitation, but discreet displays of anti-conformity sentiment that erupted over the by 1918 wartime policies had opened in Berlin during the First World War issue of conscription that solidified wide political fissures, particularly suggests the patriotic sentiment French-Canadian nationalism in resonating from Waterloo County 4 between many French- and English- comments more on a community Québec. That being said, it is clear speaking Canadians. Nevertheless, struggling to avoid persecution as that most Berliners responded to the according to the dominant narrative, it does a population clamouring to call-to-arms practically, and with a expressions of nationalism during make sacrifices in the name of King, firm understanding of the precarious the First World War helped shape a Country, and Empire. situation that had quickly enveloped nation and arguably define a new era them. Berliners were not duped by in Canadian history.2 and cities across the Canada. But, far propaganda, emboldened to protest Interestingly, some of the loudest from being united behind the Allied by ethnic or territorial pride, nor did voices of support for the war effort war effort, Berliners’ appear to have they volunteer in droves to willingly were from the largely German been considerably more pragmatic. fight for God, King and Empire.5 Most population of Berlin, Ontario. With By taking into consideration Berliners addressed local and national the advent of war, the third largest anti-German sentiment as expressed pressure by either accommodating ethnic group in the Dominion of primarily in local and to wartime circumstances, or by Canada may have “found themselves by military officials, the present attempting to subtly evade demands in an especially delicate position article seeks to add another shade that threatened to undermine or target [given] their adopted country to the Anglophone-Francophone German culture and community declared war on their country of dichromatic depictions of the cohesion. In the end, local events in origin,” but the official message country’s reaction to the events of the Berlin, including discreet displays of resonating from Berlin suggested First World War. To be sure, many anti-conformity, suggest the patriotic otherwise.3 In fact, at first glance the Berliners sought to project a public sentiment resonating from Waterloo community’s response to news of image of themselves and others as County reflected more a community war mirrored that of many towns being loyal advocates of the British struggling to avoid persecution

Published© Canadian by Scholars Military Commons History @, Laurier,Volume 2015 21, Number 2, Spring 2012, pp.45-57. 45 1 Canadian Military History, Vol. 21 [2015], Iss. 2, Art. 5

than a population clamouring to from Lake Erie to the Elora falls, the 60,000 acres (240 square kilometres), make sacrifices in the name of King, Haldimand Tract, as it was called, most of Waterloo Township. In 1806, Country, and Empire. included the lands six miles on each Benjamin Eby, a Mennonite preacher, side of the . Not long purchased land consisting of a large * * * * * after gaining title to the land, Brant part of what would later become aterloo County, one of the and the relocated Haudenosaunee the village of Berlin. By the 1820s, Wmost densely wooded sections Grand Council sold most of the upper European Germans and in North America in the eighteenth section of the tract to Euroamerican “Dutch” immigrants shaped the century, was located in the middle speculators, who, in turn, sold the area’s cultural landscape. Within 30 of Neutral and Mississauga territory. land to refugee immigrants.6 years the surrounding towns of Galt, Following the American Revolution, As early as 1799 Pennsylvania Preston, and Hespeler all competed the region underwent a dramatic Mennonites from Franklin County with Berlin for industrial dominance

transformation. What would come began settling the northern limits in the area. In fact, the 1853 search for P615 Society Historical Courtesy of the Waterloo to be Waterloo County was a section of the Haldimand Tract, including a location for the county seat led to a of the 1784 land cession given to Block Two, the future location of rivalry among the towns. But when Haudenosaunee “Loyalists” and Berlin, Ontario. Pacifist immigrants, a local merchant donated a small other British allied First Nations at tired of “excessive taxation, [and] parcel of land for the construction of the request of Thayendanegea, or long years of compulsory military a county courthouse, Berlin clinched Joseph Brant. After the Crown and service,” fled the United States the race.8 the local Mississaugas agreed on for British Canada during the 50 Through the latter half of the terms, a tract of land was designated years that followed the American nineteenth century, and with the help for the migrating Haudenosaunee Revolution.7 In 1805 a company of the Grand Trunk Railway, the town that followed Brant north. Stretching formed in Pennsylvania purchased of Berlin became an industrial hub in

A map of Berlin, Ontario as it appeared in 1879. Courtesy of the M577-H1

https://scholars.wlu.ca/cmh/vol21/iss2/546 2 : “We Germans…are British Subjects” The First World War and the Curious Case of Berlin, Ontario, Canada

The city of Berlin as it appeared in 1912. The industrial nature of the core is visible in this photograph. In the foreground is the main line of the Grand Trunk Railway. The Berlin train station is on the left side of the photograph.

southern Ontario. The population demonstrate our love and respect for of the century, perhaps as best grew with the arrival of Irish, Scots, a monarch of whom the world may exemplified by Henri Bourassa and Welsh immigrants. Inhabitants be proud. We are British subjects… and his followers, many Canadians with a German background, however, but while we proclaim this truth, I began to express national pride remained in the vast majority. In 1900 might add, to ourselves, we are also by pressing for greater autonomy as many as 70 percent of the city’s prepared to continue to cultivate our from the – especially population claimed direct German beautiful German customs.11 during times of conflict. That being heritage; the same percentage of said, at the onset of the First World school children still studied German When Europe plummeted towards War the nationalism expressed by as their optional subject. Then in war in the summer of 1914, public most English-speaking Canadians 1912, the town, widely regarded as celebration of German traditions lay firmly entrenched within a larger “Canada’s German capital,” became and royal family members became imperial framework. As both British a city.9 As William Rowley Chadwick increasingly problematic. Not long subjects and Canadian citizens, for remarked, even as the first shots of after reporting Britain, Germany, most Canadians there was only one the Great War were heard, Berlin and France made “strenuous” efforts response to news of war in Europe.13 was as “hard-working, religious, to avoid a general war, on 3 August Initially, the message from law-abiding, and confident a city as 1914 the News-Record declared “War Berlin, Ontario, appeared to be no any in the Dominion…and there was to the Death has come to Europe.”12 different. In an address to the House no reason to believe that the future Two days later, newspapers across of Commons, W.G. Weichel, the would be any different.”10 By 1917, Canada announced the official Conservative member for Waterloo Berlin was no longer Berlin, in name declarations of war. North, whose parents had both or reputation. With expectations that the war been born in Germany, praised As late as January 1914 many would be a short and decisive one, the “illustrious men of the British of Berlin’s 16,000 inhabitants felt over by the new year, many Canadians Empire,” and announced “that the secure enough as Canadians to actually welcomed the opportunity to people of German origin in this celebrate Kaiser Wilhelm’s birthday demonstrate their importance to the country are loyal to their king, without fear of reprisal. Addressing Allied war effort and to reaffirm their loyal to the Empire… [and consider the hundreds in attendance for the Dominion’s allegiance to the Crown. themselves] fortunate to live under the German Emperor’s 55th birthday While scholars continue to lock horns protection of the .”14 The celebrations at the Concordia Club in over the extent to which the war , a Waterloo, W.H. Schmalz noted: maintained or diminished Canadian weekly, echoed that sentiment. In identification with the British Empire addition to pointing out to second We Germans, even if we are also and as imperial subjects, few deny and third generation Berliners that Canadians, remember this occasion the growth of different forms of they, and their families, had enjoyed from year to year in order to nationalism. As early as the turn protection and freedom under the

Published by Scholars Commons @ Laurier, 2015 47 3 Canadian Military History, Vol. 21 [2015], Iss. 2, Art. 5

Union Jack, the editors reminded The initial surge of volunteers your duty,” aptly named Sergeant- newly arrived German immigrants from Waterloo County may not Major Blood warned Berliners shortly of the loyalty oath they swore upon have been predominantly of German following the outbreak of war, “or entering the country. It might be ancestry, but it is still doubtful that be despised.”24 Lieutenant Stanley natural for some to sympathize with imperial zeal and love of empire Nelson warned Berliners that “the the “old fatherland,” the readers were moved most Berliners to tears as eyes of Canada,” were on them, told, but do not “allow yourselves they watched their loved ones depart adding in a printed address to the to be driven to demonstrations for war. In fact, within weeks of country: of any kind, avoid arguments… the outbreak of the war in Europe, be silent, bear this difficult time awkward silences and signs of You have creatures in your midst who with dignity and show that you community apathy could be found say success to the Kaiser, and to hell are true Germans, grateful to the just under the surface of the headlines. with the King; all I can say is, round country that accommodated you.”15 “Berlin should not be behind other up this element into the detention Community leader Professor F.V. cities in answering the call to arms,” a camps, for they are unworthy of Riecthdorf declared “I am a native letter to the Daily Telegraph suggested. British citizenship and should be German and former solider…My Until “peace had been declared or placed where they belong…the loyalty is to the British flag… let our the crisis is over,” another observer showing that the physically fit young response to the Empire be immediate questioned, should the Union Jack men of North Waterloo have made and sufficient!”16 Immediate it was. not be hoisted on all the public is so rotten that I have heard an Historian Nikolas Gardner relates that buildings? The editor responded: outside businessman say to a traveler on the evening after Britain declared “why the flag on the Government from a Berlin wholesale house, “I’ll war members of “C” Squadron of the building has not been raised is not buy another damned article 24th Grey’s Horse paraded through unknown…Let Berlin hoist the flag manufactured in that German town. Victoria Park. Apparently, Berlin was of the British Empire.”21 Moreover, So you think I’m going to give money becoming British.17 the Daily Telegraph criticized the to support a pack of Germans? If I For the next two months, local city’s band for its “non-appearance” did, I’d be as bad as they.”25 news reports confirmed the solid at the send-off of local soldiers, commitment of Berliners to the regretting that the “volunteers The threats did not end with the war effort. There should be “no left without a tangible evidence military officials. Toronto’s News difference of opinion in Canada” the of good wishes of the citizens of and Globe oozed xenophobia, at conservative Daily Telegraph declared, Berlin.”22 These items give the sense times aimed at Berlin, Ontario. In “as to the duty of the Dominion in of a community caught between addition to declaring that there were the present crisis…true patriotism the outpouring of nationalism or simply too many Germans in the calls for a united front and united imperial pride in the region and British Empire, Globe editors warned action.”18 Cries for a unified response province, and unresponsiveness, or that Berliners must be kept “under were followed by calls for pledges for at least an utter lack of spontaneity close observation [as] their presence the Volunteer and Patriotic funds. among the large parts of the local may be a source of great danger.” The Berlin News-Record, although population. There is ample reason Canadians must not shrink from not as “pro-British” as the Daily to question the genuineness of the engaging in any means necessary to Telegraph, as one critic suggested, official declarations of ardent support preserve national security: “scores of nevertheless published headlines for the British Empire’s cause that German spies have been arrested… with strong imperial language. came out of Berlin during the First [and there are still] 30,000 of our “Ontario Teuton[s]” would not shirk, World War. foes in Canada…No fools mind the paper announced, from proving The atavistic “with us or against you, but soldiers born and trained… their loyalty.19 By early October, us” attitude of most English-Canadian working in our industries, living in Berliners had not only generated over politicians and military leaders did our towns!”26 $90,000 in war fund contributions, but nothing to mitigate or contextualize , a the local press also proudly reported expressions by them and others well-established Berlin leather on the departure of the volunteers for of a broad, general anti-German manufacturer, braced himself each military service: “Many a mother’s sentiment. This attitude could only Thursday when updates of war eyes were dimmed with tears, as they have caused distress for many news reached the city. “Seemingly watched their sons leaving home to German-Canadians, and certainly disastrous to the Germans – whose fight for the Empire, perhaps never did nothing to win adherence to the side of the story we do not get,” to return.”20 Entente’s cause.23 “Be British [and] do Breithaupt recorded in his diary.27 https://scholars.wlu.ca/cmh/vol21/iss2/548 4 : “We Germans…are British Subjects” The First World War and the Curious Case of Berlin, Ontario, Canada

In August 1914, during a meeting of the Berlin Minister’s Association, Lutheran minister C.R. Tappert publicly questioned the accuracy of the anti-German propaganda. In an act that, according to one observer “was as rash as questioning Holy Writ at the height of the Inquisition,” Tappert demanded balanced war reports and refused to contribute to the Patriotic Fund as a matter of conscience.28 His actions sparked an immediate public backlash.

Cleared of any wrongdoing after an Courtesy of the Kitchener Public Library P2129 interrogation by local authorities and a meeting with the Berlin police chief, Tappert nevertheless was the subject of wild speculation and rumour. Following a particularly ugly incident where he was accused of praying for the success of the Kaiser’s army from his pulpit, Tappert wrote to A.P. Sherwood, the chief commissioner of the Canadian police in .29 Infuriated, the Lutheran minister demanded an apology:

The Germans are a liberty-living nation and cherish independence of thinking and acting. I would rather sacrifice anything than to bring up my family in a country where a man can be called to the police office for

expressing his views at a Ministerial Courtesy of the Kitchener Public Library P2133 Association or unbraided by an official for having a conscience and acting according to its dictates.30

The minister’s defiance may not have been characteristic of the public face of the community he preached to, but as we have seen, signs of Top: On the evening that war was declared, the 24th Grey’s Horse (pictured here) uneasiness with the war and anti- paraded through Victoria Park demonstrating that at least some elements of Berlin supported the war against Germany. German propaganda were evident during the first few months of the Above: Sir Sam Hughes, the Canadian minister of militia, arrives in Berlin on 17 September 1915. conflict. By early 1915 progress was being made by those that sought to leader Wilfrid Laurier commented prime minister noted the zeal with construct a more acceptable image on the issue of German-Canadians. which Berliners have “joined in all of Berlin. Following German appreciation for their that appertains to the welfare of representative W.G. Weichel’s homeland, Borden remarked, “has the Dominion and of the Empire.”32 passionate speech to the House of been solely consistent with loyalty Laurier, too, weighed in: “All that Commons on 8 February, Prime to the land of their adoption and the could be expected from our German Minister Borden and opposition institutions of their Empire.”31 The fellow-citizens,” the Liberal leader

Published by Scholars Commons @ Laurier, 2015 49 5 Canadian Military History, Vol. 21 [2015], Iss. 2, Art. 5 Courtesy of the Waterloo Historical Society P1383 Society Historical Courtesy of the Waterloo

Soldiers from the 118th Battalion march through Berlin.

proclaimed, “has been done by them, war effort. In commemoration of the three soldiers – about 2,000 lost their and well done and cheerfully done.” Second Battle of Ypres, the News- lives in the muddy trenches and fields Whether or not either Borden or Record featured a poem entitled “For of Ypres.35 Laurier had much specific knowledge Canada,” that concluded: “Would At home, news of the battle about what was happening in God my pen could you extol/ And provoked an immediate reaction. Waterloo County is unknown. What with you lie where heroes fall/ For “The Huns have added poison is known, however, is when war Canada, my Canada.” Ostensibly, gas to the slum of their offenses befell Europe in 1914 both men having buried signs of community against civilization,” Toronto’s agreed to pledge immediate military apathy towards the war, Berliners, Globe proclaimed.36 Another article support to Britain and the Allied too, embraced the nationalistic fervor documented not only the use of war effort. Both politicians realized that was enveloping society.34 poisonous gas, but also German the importance of projecting the The backlash in Canada against maltreatment of prisoners of appearance of a country united.33 reports of German atrocities in war.37 The Kaiser’s soldiers had Meanwhile, the movement of late April 1915 suggests that many ruthlessly bayoneted to death Canadian forces from England to the Berliners may have had reasons to wounded Canadians, another article frontlines of France had begun. On energetically proclaim loyalty to proclaimed, and “no doubt remains 18 April 1915 the war was brought nation and empire. At approximately that the Germans…have wantonly home to Berlin, Ontario, when reports 1700 hours on a sunny spring day, insulted, beaten and murdered in filtered back that one of the city’s German soldiers opened the values cold blood.”38 Canadian troops, the first volunteers, Allan Smith, had of over 5,000 gas cylinders unleashing Daily News claimed, gave as good been severely wounded. A week a 160-ton cloud of chlorine gas. Not as they got: “revenge was swift…At later, the activities and movements long after the poisonous fumes the point of their bayonets they took of the 1st Canadian Division and the poured into the Allied trenches at only two wretched German prisoners Second Battle of Ypres filled the pages Ypres, French colonial forces in alive.”39 In criticizing the German of national and local newspapers. the area most heavily inundated war machine, the newspapers During the last two weeks in April abandoned their positions. The also denounced the whole of the 1915, both the Daily Telegraph and Germans quickly advanced. The nation. A German’s word simply News-Record proudly reported the adjacent Canadian division filled the cannot be trusted, one report stated, valour of the Canadian soldiers at gap in the frontline, and held in the while another questioned the moral the front. Press reports and editorials face of further intense attacks. They fortitude of “a people” that would indicated that Berliners, like the paid a high price. After the smoke sanction the use of poisonous gas.40 rest of the country, were publicly had settled, of the approximately While the Toronto press left little celebrating and praising the Canadian 6,000 Canadian casualties – one in unsaid in their accounts of the events, https://scholars.wlu.ca/cmh/vol21/iss2/550 6 : “We Germans…are British Subjects” The First World War and the Curious Case of Berlin, Ontario, Canada

the newspapers in Berlin, Ontario, as soon as the Germans used the same country.”45 He informed readers tended to choose their words more kind of weapon in the battlefield that City Council had voted to carefully, and did not concentrate on around Ypres, the denunciation of contribute $10,000 to the Canadian the “barbaric” actions of the Germans. Germany for following the practice Patriotic Fund. This, together with On 24 April 1915, even the Daily of her adversaries has been rampant the $88,000 voluntarily raised among Telegraph reported that the “French and the most sort of epithets have the residents of Berlin brought the War Office says that the surprise been employed.43 total to just under $100,000, “or caused by the letting of this deadly twice as much as any other city in gas had no grave consequences.”41 It is doubtful that the message in Canada of its size.”46 Even the editors In fact, the News-Record added, Dernberg’s comments escaped of the Berliner Journal, despite their wounded soldiers “say gas fumes the editors of what a previous increasingly conciliatory approach do not kill…they put men to sleep.”42 commentator suggested was Berlin’s to English Canada, reported that the Nevertheless, the Daily Telegraph, almost “fanatically pro-British” country had become considerably published justification for the use .44 In fact, the publication more anti-German following the of gas preferred by Dr. B. Dernberg, of Dernberg’s remarks signaled a sinking of the Lusitania in early May the former colonial secretary of the quiet but growing trend in the press 1915. Berliners were only too well German Empire on 27 April 1915, in and throughout the community. aware of well publicized reports the midst of the outcry at this new Increasingly, disgruntled of anti-German incidents across evidence of German awfulness: Berliners began to voice anger over the country, and the closing of what appeared to be the unfair German clubs throughout Ontario When there was published, last treatment of the city by the rest of and Quebec.47 November, reports of a French English Canada. One concerned In late October 1915, when invention for the purpose of resident wrote to the News-Record British casualties stood at just under asphyxiating the enemies by stating Berliners had no reason half a million souls, 17 MPs from nauseating gases, the ending of to apologize. They “have proven ridings across Canada pledged the war in favor of the Allies was themselves to be just as industrious, the unflinching support of their predicted “with a great deal of just as law-abiding and just as loyal respective ridings to the King. W.G. satisfaction” by the Allied Press. But as any other of the citizens of this Weichel was among them, and he

A military brass band leads the 118th Battalion on a parade through downtown Berlin, circa 1916. Courtesy of the Waterloo Historical Society P1381 Society Historical Courtesy of the Waterloo

Published by Scholars Commons @ Laurier, 2015 51 7 Canadian Military History, Vol. 21 [2015], Iss. 2, Art. 5

informed Sam Hughes, the minister of reality did not stop eager recruiters bullied and bloodied local residents militia, that his constituents would be and soldiers, “‘betwixt and between’ in broad daylight. Store windows honored to help by raising “as many military and civilian cultures,” from displaying German goods were as one or two battalions.” Hughes terrorizing the residents of Berlin and smashed, and businesses and clubs quickly informed Lieutenant-Colonel Waterloo County.53 looted. Perhaps in the most brazen H.J. Bowman, the commanding Those charged with raising the act of 1916, recruiters forcefully officer of Berlin’s militia unit, the numbers of recruits for the 118th removed Reverend Tappert from 108th Regiment, that Weichel had appointed three main organizers, his home and beat him senseless for promised “two full battalions.”48 who in turn formed overseeing allegedly speaking out against the When the news broke that Waterloo committees to target all the war. Another target was the bronze County promised to raise two full communities in the county. Their bust of Kaiser Wilhelm I that had battalions, eager recruiters took to task was simple: commission a been erected as a peace memorial the street. On 2 November 1915, the census to document all eligible men, in Berlin’s Victoria Park in 1897, Daily Telegraph and News-Record both send them letters, visit their homes, and had already been the victim of reported the success of an event the and use any means necessary to vandalism.58 previous night, with a procession of goad them into joining the war. As In August 1914, the bust had been troops “swinging through the dusk Sam Williams, a successful Berlin torn down and tossed into the park’s down King Street on its way to the factory owner and one of the three lake. Three youths were quickly Star Theatre.”49 After watching the main organizers, noted, “if there apprehended after one of them film The Ordeal and listening to the is any place in Canada that cannot succumbed to a guilty conscience, Presbyterian Reverand Marcus Scott’s afford to fall down in the matter of and the statue recovered. Two years sermon “The Just Cause,” onlookers recruiting…it is North Waterloo.”54 later, the bust was again vandalized, were encouraged to mingle with the To make the plan work, Williams and thrown into the lake. After being soldiers and join up. Interestingly, argued, local subcommittees must recovered and restored a second time, a letter to the News-Record also be formed in the villages and towns it went missing once again – this time lamented “whether seeing wrecked throughout the County. Weichel, forever. Perhaps not coincidentally, men swathed in bandages and plaster the MP, proclaimed, “it is time for the final disappearance of the bust moving haltingly onto the platform a man to be a man…and to be a from Victoria Park in 1916 took place with the help of canes and crutches good Canadian citizen, one must be at the same time as the pillaging of was such a great recruiting idea.”50 a Britisher.”55 Despite a promising the Concordia Club by members The Berlin Telegraph commented that turnout to recruiting rallies following of 118th Battalion, who looted the the city’s inhabitants must do more the initial formation of committees, it club’s own bust of the Kaiser and than watch and listen to demonstrate was not long before support dropped. burned it together with other stolen their commitment to the Allied war By the end of December 1915, fewer items in a bonfire on the streets of effort.51 than 200 recruits sat down in their Berlin. “Are the vandals never to be Despite the initial reports of expansive barracks to enjoy over 260 apprehended,” wrote one concerned recruiting “success,” it was soon pounds of cooked Christmas food, citizen in a letter published in the clear that Waterloo County would Waterloo County was a far cry from News-Record.59 With no sign of official have a difficult task raising one, let meeting the 1,100 men Sam Hughes action a number Berliners called for alone two battalions. The newly was expecting. Meanwhile, by year’s a community gathering at Victoria christened 118th Battalion of the end, Prime Minister Borden raised Park to scour the area for the park’s Canadian Expeditionary Force from the stakes by promising the King that missing bust, an object of local North Waterloo County may have Canada would contribute 300,000 heritage and pride. It is unclear how had a commanding officer, but the more men to the war.56 many people responded, but the battalion was short 1,088 men. Only Toronto’s Globe questioned the call action shows the unwillingness a dozen volunteers had signed up. loyalty of the city’s inhabitants; those of the city’s inhabitants to turn a As P. Whitney Lackenbauer and people not fulfilling their “duties” blind eye to criminal acts as the local Nickolas Gardner suggest, in view as Canadians should be closely authorities seemed to do.60 of the “the predominantly German monitored.57 Excited to action by In 1916 Berliners also lost another population of Waterloo North… the “perceived threat posed by the symbol of cultural pride – the city’s the reality [was] that most of the ‘enemy’ in Berlin,” military recruiters name. The Berlin Board of Trade more enthusiastic supporters of the and soldiers increasingly took to the proposed the change of a name Canadian war effort had already gone streets. Gripped by fear of reprisal, that had an unpatriotic ring, and overseas by late 1915.”52 This glaring many Berliners watched as soldiers hurt local business.61 Despite the https://scholars.wlu.ca/cmh/vol21/iss2/552 8 : “We Germans…are British Subjects” The First World War and the Curious Case of Berlin, Ontario, Canada Courtesy of the Waterloo Public Library Courtesy of the Waterloo Courtesy of the Waterloo Historical Society P628 Society Historical Courtesy of the Waterloo

A bust of Kaiser Wilhelm I was unveiled in Berlin, Ontario’s Victoria Park in 1897 as the “Peace of 1871 Memorial.” It would become a lightning rod for anti-German sentiments following the outbreak of war with Germany in 1914. Clockwise from top left: Victoria Park Berlin as it appeared at the turn of the century. The pedestal with the Kaiser’s bust is prominently located at the edge of the Victoria Park pond; A close-up of the bust circa 1905; The bust shown being fished out of Victoria Park pond after it was torn down and thrown in the water in August 1914; A Canadian soldier, likely from the 118th Battalion, stands beside the Kaiser’s pedastal after it was again vandalized in 1916. The missing bust has been replaced by a few Canadian flags, a metal relief from the side of the pedastal has been pried off, and the Kaiser’s name has been painted out and the word Courtesy of the Kitchener Public Library P8754 “Bah” painted above it. The meaning of the many pairs of boots left on the monument is not known. Courtesy of the Waterloo Historical Society P361 Society Historical Courtesy of the Waterloo

Published by Scholars Commons @ Laurier, 2015 53 9 Canadian Military History, Vol. 21 [2015], Iss. 2, Art. 5

The ballot presented to voters in Berlin to choose a new name for the city.

referendum 2,000 Berliners signed and sent a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to stop the name change. “Our citizens who are opposed to the change of name are just as loyal to the British Empire, and more loyal to the city in which the live and prosper,” argued one Berliner, “than the most violent agitator who Berlin City Council’s willingness to demonstrate the loyalty to the tries to change its name and injure hold a referendum to choose a new British Empire of the city’s ethnic its reputation.”64 The message is name, the contest that was organized German population.”62 But, like the revealing. Despite the unwillingness to compile potential names met imperialist-laden language found in of the provincial government to with little success. Not only did the local newspaper headlines, there derail the process, the petition most Berliners express little interest, is more to the story. underscores the tempered discontent but those determined to alter the The name change did not have and anxieties of a predominantly city’s name could not agree on an the support of the wider community. German community during the First acceptable substitute. That changed Unable to openly oppose the World War in Ontario, Canada. in June 1916, shortly after news change without fear of reprisal, Incidents in Berlin, now arrived that Britain’s war minister, many Berliners stayed home. Of Kitchener, Ontario, soon took a Lord Kitchener, long celebrated approximately 10,000 voters, only 892 backseat to much larger questions, as the Empire’s greatest soldier, people went to the polling stations as the human costs of a brutal war had been lost when the cruiser – and of those, of whom a mere 346 began to tear at the seams of the in which he was travelling on a voted for the name Kitchener, hardly nation. As Canadian death counts mission to Russia was destroyed by evidence of a grassroots push to mounted following the Battle of the a German mine. Before the year’s publicly affirm community loyalty.63 Somme in 1916 and Vimy Ridge in end Berlin became Kitchener, “to Even more telling, following the April 1917, Prime Minister Borden

A group portrait of “C” Company (North Waterloo), 118th Battalion circa 1916. Courtesy of the Waterloo Public Library Courtesy of the Waterloo

https://scholars.wlu.ca/cmh/vol21/iss2/554 10 : “We Germans…are British Subjects” The First World War and the Curious Case of Berlin, Ontario, Canada Courtesy of the Waterloo Public Library Courtesy of the Waterloo

A postcard of Canadian soldiers, likely from the 118th Battalion, parading down King Street in Kitchener. Taken at the corner of King and Queen Streets. The Walper House Hotel and the Grand Trunk Railway office are on the left. Crowds line the sidewalk and a balcony of the hotel. Note the street lamps, the Union Jack flag and the barber pole.

realized his previous pledge of all immigrants from enemy countries y the New Year, ethnic, religious, 500,000 soldiers (in a country of naturalized in Canada after 1902, a Bclass and occupational differences only eight million) would not be disqualification that included many divided the country. Accordingly, met without resort to compulsory Berliners. historians have argued, what became service. Sir Wilfrid Laurier, leader of By late 1917 more and more known as the conscription crisis the Liberal opposition in Parliament, of the city’s residents were willing under the new Union government stood firm against conscription, to express dissatisfaction with the of Prime Minister Robert Borden reflecting the convictions of his large Borden administration. When in illustrated variations of nationalistic French Canadian constituency, but November 1917 the prime minister responses in Canada to the First Borden had the support of many visited Berlin to rally support for World War.66 While Canadians English speaking Liberals in pushing the Military Service Act and his struggled with the implementation the Military Service Act through unionist government, some of those of conscription, events in Europe Parliament in August 1917. Laurier gathered in the crowd attempted to turned in favour of the Allies. The refused Borden’s invitation to join shout him down. Soon silenced by Australian-Canadian led offensive at the government to prosecute the war fellow onlookers, the disgruntled Amiens in August 1918 signalled the effort. The prime minister therefore citizens did reveal popular regional beginning of the end for Germany. created a “Union” government that sentiment that was expressed in a Within on three months, the fighting included pro-conscription Liberals in less confrontational, but arguably would be over. preparation for a general election in more effective way. During the Despite an isolated and failed December 1917. In the controversial federal elections in December 1917, attempt in 1933 to establish a National “Wartime Elections Act” passed in loyal Kitchenerites and the other Socialist organization in the newly September 1917, the government constituents of Waterloo North named Kitchener, Ontario, by the extended the vote to all military defeated Weichel, the incumbent time Hitler invaded Poland few personnel, regardless of age and Conservative who stood for the new Canadians called the city’s loyalty their qualifications for citizenship, Unionist government, and elected into question. In fact, most scholars and to all close female relatives a Liberal, William D. Euler – an agree that within only a couple of of soldiers, while simultaneously outspoken opponent of conscription.65 decades following the end of the First barring conscientious objectors and World War, Germans across Canada, * * * * * Published by Scholars Commons @ Laurier, 2015 55 11 Canadian Military History, Vol. 21 [2015], Iss. 2, Art. 5

Berliners included, “had been 1996). For a critique of Keshen, see Ian 15. The Berliner Journal, August 1914, as 67 Hugh Maclean Miller, “Our Glory and quoted in Mathais Schulze, James M. assimilated.” Apparently, like many Our Grief: Torontonians and the Great Skidmore, David G. John, Grit Liebscher, ethnic enclaves across the country, War” in Jeffery Keshen and Serge Marc and Sebastian Siebel Achenbach, eds., Berlin’s mid-century transition from Durflinger, eds., War and Society in Post- German Disaporic Experiences: Identity, Confederation Canada (Toronto: Thomson Migration and Loss. Proceedings of a a community in question to one and Nelson, 2007), pp.71-2. conference at the , welcomed into the Canadian fold 6. David T. McNab, Earth, Water, Air, and 24-27 August 2006 (Waterloo: Waterloo had much to do with a broadening Fire: Studies in Canadian Ethnohistory Centre for German Studies and Wilfrid (Waterloo: Wilfrid Laurier University Laurier University Press, 2008), p.112. of national identity. That being Press, 1998), pp.148-152; Alan Taylor, 16. “Alternating Currents,” News-Record, 7 said, given the experiences of many The Divided Ground: Indians, Settlers, and August 1914. Berliners during the First World War, the Northern Borderlands of the American 17. Nikolas E. Gardner, The Great War Revolution (New York: Knopf, 2006), and Waterloo County: Raising the 118th inquiries into the development of pp.121-33. Battalion CEF (master’s thesis, Wilfrid variations of Canadian identity and 7. Julius Mage and Robert Murdie, “The Laurier University Press, 1994), p.11. nationalism (outside of the dominant Mennonites of Waterloo County,” 18. “Canada and Empire” The Daily Telegraph, Canadian Geographical Journal 80, no.1 11 August 1914; P.P. McKegeny, The Anglo-Franco dichotomist narrative) (1970), pp.10-19. Kaiser’s Bust: A Study of War-Time should not overlook subtle and 8. William Rowley Chadwick, The Battle Propaganda in Berlin, Ontario, 1914-1918 discreet displays of anti-conformity for Berlin: A Historical Drama (Waterloo: (Wellesley, ON: Bamberg Press, 1991), Wilfrid Laurier University Press, 1992), p.88. in communities throughout Canada. pp.14-16. For a specific study on German 19. “To Prove Loyalty of the Ontario Teuton” At the very least, the curious case migration from Pennsylvania to Waterloo News-Record, 30 August 1914; English and County, see Susan M. Burke and Matthew McLaughlin, Kitchener, p.111. of Berlin, Ontario during the First H. Hill, From Pennsylvania to Waterloo: 20 “B Volunteers Depart for the Front: Will World War exposes the complicated Pennsylvania-German Folk Culture in Mobilize at Ingersoll,” Daily Telegraph, 17 underbelly of a city and community Transition (Kitchener: J. , August 1914. 1991). 21. “Where are Berlin’s Flags?” Daily struggling to maintain a culture and 9. John English and Kenneth McLaughlin, Telegraph, 10 August 1914. identity during a time of unobstructed Kitchener: An Illustrated History (Waterloo: 22 “What Will Berlin Do For Her Boys?” hostility. Wilfrid Laurier University Press, 1983) Daily Telegraph, 17 August 1914. pp.11-12. 23. For examples outside of Ontario, see 10. Chadwick, The Battle for Berlin, p.4. Angelika Sauer, “Being German in 11. Address by W.H. Schmalz at Kaiser Western Canada,” Journal of the West 38, Notes Wilhelm’s 55th Birthday celebration at no.3 (1999), pp.49-55. The Concordia Club. As quoted in the 24. Day, “Anti-German Sentiment in Berlin News-Record, 7 August 1914. During the First World War,” p.6. . 1 “Canada Stands United from Ocean to 12. “War to the Death has come to Europe,” 25. Day, “Anti-German Sentiment in Berlin Ocean” Daily News, 5 August 1914; “Be News-Record, 3 August 1914. During the First World War,” p.6. Loyal and Steady,” The Daily News, 14 13. For detailed discussion on expressions 26. “Germans Arrested as Spies,” Globe, August 1914. of Canadian nationalism, see Martin 7 August 1914. For an account of 2. Carl Berger, The Sense of Power: Studies in P. O’Connell, “Henri Bourassa and exaggerated national fears as a result of the Ideas of Canadian Imperialism, 1867-1914 Canadian nationalism” (PhD thesis, German espionage in Canada, see Robert (Toronto: Press, University of Toronto, 1954); Geoffrey E. Bartholomew, “The German Invasion 1970); Charles P. Stacey, “Nationality: Hayes, Andrew Iarocci, Mike Bechthold, of Canada during the First World War,” The Experience of Canada,” Canadian eds., Vimy Ridge: A Canadian Reassessment Canadian Military History 7, no.4 (Autumn Historical Association Historical Papers 2 (Waterloo: Wilfrid Laurier University 1998), pp.29-36. Also see, Martin Kitchen, (1967), p.10. Press, 2007); José E. Igartua, The Other “The German Invasion of Canada during 3. Cindy Day, “Anti-German Sentiment Quiet Revolution: National Identities in the First World War,” International History in Berlin During the First World War,” English Canada, 1945-71 (Vancouver: Review 7, no.2 (1985), pp.245-260. unpublished essay, 4 August 1988, Doris University of Press, 27. Chadwick, The Battle for Berlin, pp.76-9. Lane Rare Book Room, Dana Porter 2006); Patrick H. Brennan, “The Other 28. Ibid. Library, University of Waterloo, p.1. Battle: Imperialist versus nationalist 29. Ibid. 4. Carl Berger, Imperialism and Nationalism, sympathies within the Officer Corps of 30. Ibid. 1884-1914; A Conflict in Canadian Thought the Canadian Expeditionary Force, 1914- 31. Sir Robert Borden, House of Commons, (Toronto: Copp Clark, 1969); Martin 1919,” in Phillip Buckner and R. Douglas Debates,, 8 February 1915, p.12. F. Auger, “On the Brink of Civil War: Francis, eds., Rediscovering the British 32. Ibid. The Canadian Government and the World (Calgary: Calgary University Press, 33. Sir Wilfrid Laurier, House of Commons, Suppression of the 1918 Quebec Easter 2005); Desmond Morton, When Your Debates, 8 February 1915, p.14. Riots,” Canadian Historical Review 89, Number’s Up: the Canadian Soldier in the 34. “Berliner Wounded,” Daily Telegraph, no.4 (2008), pp.503-40; J.L. Granatstein, First World War (Toronto: Vintage Canada, 18 April 1915; “Situation was Saved by “Conscription in the Great War” in David 1994); Berger, Imperialism and Nationalism; Canadians,” Daily Telegraph, 25 April MacKenzie, ed., Canada and the Great War: Ramsay Cook, Canada, Quebec, and the 1915; “Canada’s Men Bring Glory to Essays in Honour of Robert Craig Brown Uses of Nationalism (Toronto: McClelland Dominion,” News-Record, 26 April 1915; (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, & Stewart, 1986); Philip Buckner, ed., “For Canada,” News-Record, 30 April 1915. 2005), pp.62-75. Canada and the British World: Culture, 35. Desmond Morton, When Your Number’s 5. For an examination of First World War Migration, and Identity (Vancouver: Up. propaganda and the Canadian home University of British Columbia Press, 36. “The German Failure,” Globe, 26 April front, see Jeffery Keshen’s Propaganada 2006). 1915. and Censorship during Canada’s Great War 14. W.G. Weichel, House of Commons, 37. “The German Method,” Daily News, 24 (Edmonton: University of Alberta Press, Debates, 8 February 1914. April 1915. https://scholars.wlu.ca/cmh/vol21/iss2/556 12 : “We Germans…are British Subjects” The First World War and the Curious Case of Berlin, Ontario, Canada

38. “Canadian Wounded Bayoneted to Death,” Daily News, 27 April 1915. 39. “German Brutality,” Daily News, 29 April 1915. 40. “Be Barbarians Now; Bill Will Come Later,” Globe, 28 April 1915. 41. “Thick Yellow Smoke Emitted from Trenches by Germans,” Daily Telegraph, 24 April 1915. 42. “Wounded Soldier Says Gas Fumes do not Kill,” News-Record, 27 April 1915. 43. “Dernberg Again Breaks into Print,” Daily Telegraph, 27 April 1915. 44. For “fanatically pro-British” comment, see Chadwick, The Battle for Berlin, p.11. 45. “Letters to the Record,” News-Record, 28 April 1915. 46. Ibid. 47. Schulze et al., p.114. 48. Chadwick, The Battle for Berlin, p.21. 49. Ibid. 50. Ibid, pp.21-2. 51. Daily Telegraph, 2 November 1915. 52. P. Whitney Lackenbauer and Nikolas Gardner, “Citizen Soldiers as ‘Liminaries’: The CEF Soldier Riots of 1916 Reconsidered” in Yves Tremblay, ed., Canadian Military History Since the 17th Century: Proceedings of the Canadian Military History Conference, Ottawa, 5-9 May 2000 (Ottawa: Department of National Defence, 2002), p.155. 53 Ibid, p.160. 54. Chadwick, The Battle for Berlin, p.30. 55. Ibid, p.29. 56. Ibid, pp.26-35. 57. Ibid, pp.34-6. 58. Ibid, pp.34-6. 59. News-Record, 23 July 1916. 60. Announcements, News-Record, 28 July 1916. 61. “Canada and the First World War” Library and Archives Canada [LAC], accessed online, 3 February 2011 [http:// www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/firstworldwar/025005-3300-e. html#d] 62 Spencer C. Tucker, (Santa Barbara, California: ABC-CLIO, 2006), p.419. 63. “Change of Name of Town of Berlin, Ontario, 1916,” LAC, RG 25-A-3-a, vol. 1189, file 1916-4065; “Are you in favour of changing the name of this city?! No!” LAC, MIKAN no.165582, accessed online, 4 March 2011 [http://bit.ly/Kwp7Gi] 64. Ibid. 65. Ulrich Frisse, “Berlin/Kitchener, Ontario,” in Thomas Adam, ed., German and the Americas: Culture, Politics, and History vol.3 (Santa Barbra, California: ABC-CLIO, 205), pp.140-2. 66. J.L. Granatstein and J.M.Hitsman, Broken Promises: A History of Conscription in Canada (Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1977); Desmond Morton and J.L Granatstein, Marching to Armageddon: Canadians and the Great War, 1914-1919 (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1992); Maria Tippett, Art at the Service of War: Canada, Art, and the Great War (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1984). 67. Frisse, “Berlin/Kitchener, Ontario,” p.141.

William Campbell is Assistant Professor of history at California State University at Chico. He received his PhD from McMaster University in 2007. Dr. Campbell has published numerous articles related to Early American, Native, and Canadian history in Ontario History, European Journal of American Studies, Pennsylvania History, and New York History. He has a chapter in Hew Strachan and Holger Afflerbach, eds., How Fighting Ends: A History of Surrender (Oxford University Press, 2012), and his first book,Speculators in Empire: Iroquoia and the 1768 Treaty of Fort Stanwix (University of Oklahoma Press) will be available this fall. Raised in Elmira, Ontario, he now lives in San Francisco, California.

Published by Scholars Commons @ Laurier, 2015 57 13