As July turned to August, events on the continent were rapidly taking a turn for the worse.

Germany demanded an explanation for Russia’s mobilisation of its troops along its border with Austria giving it a reported twenty four hour ultimatum.

In Manchester, as a precautionary measure the police at Salford docks were given an order to go on extra duty with additional police stationed also stationed along the ship canal.

With the stock exchange shut both in Manchester and London the Manchester Guardian announced that it would be publishing a special service of cables from the continent.

The Bank Holiday weekend approached, and all was still normal, with forty four special trains running into Blackpool and the promise of a record breaking weekend.

Crowds were less than normal at Manchester’s railways stations, reported the Manchester Evening News, but for those that were going away, the mood was let the future take care of itself and there was a determination to enjoy the bank holiday weekend.

It was though, to be the last weekend of peace for four years. Martial law had been announced in Germany, and in Britain, the King abandoned his visit to the Cowes regatta and announced that he would be staying in London to consult with his government.

The Prime Minister, Asquith, cancelled a vist he was due to make to Chester that weekend.

The Bank of England doubled the bank rate from four to eight per cent overnight as people were reported to be changing their paper money into gold.

Members of the Lancashire constabulary were informed that their holidays were to be suspended until further notice.

Over the weekend, the German government sent an ultimatum to Russia to demobilise within twelve hours or it was to retaliate and sent a note to Paris asking the French their position if war broke out between Germany and Russia.The German Kaiser spoke of a sword being forced in our hands

All Manchester’s telegraphists working at the post office had their leave suspended as the Manchester Reform Club expressed its gratitude for the peacemaking moves of Sir Edward Grey.

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