Much of the population of Kitchener was of German descent and their feelings on the war can be seen through diary entries and letters. The following excerpt speaks to how they felt about what was happening in Europe:
"Germany declares war on Russia and expect to be fighting France in a day or two.... The whole thing has been coming on since the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand by a Serbian student. Germany is grabbing at the first chance it can get to pick a quarrel.... Am not extra proud of Teutonic blood tonight."
-Diary of Catherine Breithaupt
August 3, 1914
