July 14, 1908
Diplomatic Relations The British attempt the first negotiations with the Germans on naval limitations. The building race is expensive and there are other things to spend the government’s money on. The Germans insist that their fleet poses no danger to Britain and is built for their needs alone.
July 14, 1914
Austria-Hungary Count Tisza, influenced by “evidence” about the assassination plot and the belligerent tone of the Serbian press, withdraws his objection to military action but insists that there be no territorial acquisitions. He feels that there are already too many Slavs in the Empire. He receives such a promise but is being lied to: Serbia is already being partitioned on paper. Tisza had written several letters to Franz Josef pleading for moderation; Berchtold has had these letters intercepted. The Council of Ministers agrees on the policy of sending Serbia an ultimatum.
Britain The Government of Ireland Amending Bill, arranging Home Rule, passes the House of Lords.
July 14, 1915
Western Front A German attack on Belgian positions on the Yser canal is repulsed.
Eastern Front The Russians fall back around the Narew as a major new Austro-German offensive begins all along the front. Przasnysz falls.
Serbian Front Montenegrin troops repulse a major Austrian attack on Grahovo.
July 14, 1916
Western Front, Somme Following an unusually short 5-minute barrage, Rawlinson’s troops move on Longueval at daybreak, capturing the ridge by mid-morning. They also succeed in ousting the Germans from Trones Wood and High Wood as attacks and counterattacks continue through the day. A brief breakthrough at Bazentin sends the cavalry into the gap, the last large-scale cavalry action in Western Europe, but the Germans plug the gap and the cavalrymen are forced to retire with heavy losses.
Western Front, Verdun French counterattacks drive the Germans back almost to their starting point of three days earlier and the stalemate again descends on the sector. Verdun has now cost 275,000 French and 250,000 German casualties.
German East Africa The British take Mwanza on Lake Victoria in a small-boat attack. Van Deventer takes Mpondi on the Central Railway.
World Affairs The artistic movement known as Dada makes its debut in a showing at Munich. Inspired by anti-war and anarchist politics, it ridicules what it considers the meaninglessness of the modern world. It fades out in the early 1920’s.
July 14, 1917
Western Front The French take some positions at Moronvillers and hold against counterattacks. German attacks near Cerny make gains.
Palestine The British raid Turkish positions near Gaza.
Germany Victimized by Ludendorff’s plotting against him and blamed for everything from food shortages to demoralization of the sailors in the High Seas Fleet, Bethmann-Hollweg is forced from office as Chancellor. Undersecretary of State Georg Michaelis, a minor functionary, succeeds him, but the real power now lies in the hands of Ludendorff and Hindenburg.
July 14, 1918
Albania The French capture Austrian positions on the Devoli.
Palestine The Turks break off their attacks at Abu Tellul Ridge.
Diplomatic Relations German and British representatives at The Hague reach a tentative agreement on prisoner exchanges.
July 14, 1921
United States Italian immigrant anarchists Sacco and Vanzetti are convicted of murder. The case is a cause celebre among the left. They are executed on August 23, 1923.
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