Ship canal traffic to continental ports had ground to a halt and it was the effect of that on business that seemed the prevailing concern in Manchester as war was declared.
The Manchester Guardian forecast that many cotton mills would close as a result.
Meanwhile a couple of pickpockets were apprehended at London Road station, using the opportunity of the big crowds seeing off the naval reservists to ply their trade, both were sentenced to six months in jail.
As news of the war was awaited, a crowd gathered at Stephenson Square to urge the government to maintain Britain’s neutrality.
From the continent, the German Kaiser was alleging that the French had fired the first shots as German troops were said to be advancing on the French.
The Germans were denying that their troops had crossed the border of Belgium, the Kaiser had telegraphed the Belgian King saying that there was still time to for him to show that their friendship had not ceded.
Arrangements were being made for Manchester Police, who were being called for naval or military service to have their places left open until they returned from the war. It was estimated that in total Manchester had 20,000 reservists waiting to be called up if needed.
As Britain waited to hear whether the Germans had accepted their ultimatum on Belgium, Manchester businessmen returned to work after the Bank holiday to discover that they could not withdraw money from their banks.
