Early Winston Churchill Signed Photograph (From a Liberal Dressed For War to a Liberal Pacifist)

Churchill, WinstonS. (1874-1965). Following the assassination of Archduke Franz-Ferdinand of Austria in June 1914, there initially seemed to be little threat to European peace. Churchill was then First Lord of the Admiralty in the Liberal Party government headed by Prime Minister Herbert Asquith, and thus in charge of the Royal Navy. On July 24, the Austrian Government issued a stringent ultimatum to Serbia, as a result of which, Churchill wrote his wife, "Europe is trembling on the verge of a general war." Churchill had a keen sense of the magnitude of the crisis, and just two days later he cancelled the scheduled demobilization of the Third Fleet. He also signalled the Mediterranean Fleet: "European political situation makes war between Triple Alliance and Triple Entente Powers by no means impossible." When Germany declared war on Russia, Churchill implemented emergency measures throughout the country. Watchers were placed along the coastline, harbour were cleared, bridges were guarded and all boats were searched. The First Fleet was quietly moved from Portland Head and took up war stations in the North Sea. These actions were not authorized by the government and Churchill came under intense criticism as a warmonger. There was still considerable division among Cabinet members over how Britain should respond to the crisis. Almost all were opposed to being involved in a war and 12 of 18 voted against providing aid to France and Russia. But Churchill believed that Britain's honor and interests required her to assist France (and Belgium if the latter's neutrality was threatened). After learning of Germany's declaration of war against Russia on August 1, the British government felt compelled to give Germany an ultimatum demanding the honoring of Belgian neutrality. On 4 August, after that ultimatum was ignored, the British Government declared war against Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. That night the Admiralty signalled all ships and naval establishments: "Commence hostilities against Germany." Thus Churchill had anticipated Britain's resort to hostilities by nine days, and he seemed like a prophet, so much did public opinion change in that short time period. The famous 4 1/2 by 6 1/2 inch photograph by Elliott Fry, showing Churchill in 1914 in his Admiralty uniform, bedecked in medals, signed in ink by Churchill and in pencil by Fry. Fry mounted the photograph as part of the presentation.

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