The Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser, like other British newspapers, reported that Britain joined the First World War on 4 August 1914.
The Courier makes for especially fascinating reading because it reported the news in a very different way.
Manchester Courier: ‘Keep your country out of a wicked and stupid war’
Many newspapers included an advert encouraging unmarried men between 18 and 30 years old to join the Army on 5 August 1914.
This example is taken from another title printed in Manchester, the Manchester Evening News.
Manchester Evening News – Wednesday 05 August 1914
Image © Trinity Mirror. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Instead of including the advert above, however, the Manchester Courier devoted a whole page to an announcement from the Neutrality League.
The announcement encouraged Englishmen to ‘DO YOUR DUTY… keep your Country out of A WICKED and STUPID WAR’.
Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser – Wednesday 05 August 1914
Image © Local World Limited. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Did Germany declare war on Britain during World War One?
The Manchester Courier also differed in the way it reported the declaration of war. The newspaper stated that Germany declared war on Great Britain at 7pm on 4 August 1914, before Britain’s declaration was made at 11pm.
Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser – Wednesday 05 August 1914
Image © Local World Limited. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Read more news from the Manchester Courier
2 comments On The Manchester Courier takes a different view of World War One
As a newspaper, was it alone in its opposition to the war? Why did it cease publication in 1916?
Hi Chloe, you can find out more about the Manchester Courier by clicking on the ‘i’ symbol next to its name here: http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/search/results?newspaperTitle=Manchester%20Courier%20and%20Lancashire%20General%20Advertiser
The newspaper was unlikely to be alone in its opposition to the war, but it did take a very different view than the other titles that are currently available online at The British Newspaper Archive.