Day 6 - July 3rd 1914
On this day in history 100 years ago, there are moving scenes in Vienna at the funeral of Franz Ferdinand and his wife. The aged Emperor Franz Joseph looks forlorn and there is sobbing from other mourners. Foreign royalty has not been invited, with the exception of the Kaiser, who has pulled out, fearing for his security, according to reports the previous day – but the chapel is thronged with ambassadors and foreign military deputation.
The bodies were transported to Trieste by the battleship SMS Viribus Unitis and then to Vienna by special train. Even though most foreign royalty had planned to attend, they were pointedly disinvited and the funeral was just the immediate imperial family, with the dead couple's three children excluded from the few public ceremonies. The officer corps was forbidden to salute the funeral train, and this led to a minor revolt led by Arch Duke Karl, the new heir to the throne. The public viewing of the coffins was curtailed severely and even more scandalously, Montenuovo tried unsuccessfully to make the children foot the bill. The Archduke and Duchess were interred at Artstetten Castle because his wife could not be buried at the Imperial Crypt.
Kaiser Willhelm 11 wished to use the funeral as an informal peace conference and thus prevent the inevitable disaster. This plan was foiled, and a last chance at peace was wasted
You can watch a short vintage video clip of the procession by clicking the following link: http://www.firstworldwar.com/video/ferdinandfuneral.htm
On the streets of Vienna tempers are running high. More than 50,000 people are taking part in demonstrations at the Serbian legation and the Russian Embassy
And a month before war, a scheme that might assist international peace is being discussed – a plan for a Channel tunnel
Information resourced from the following sites:
http://www.firstworldwar.com/video/ferdinandfuneral.htm
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/richardpreston/100278616/ww1-32-days-to-go-moving-scenes-at-franz-ferdinands-funeral-anti-serb-demonstrations-in-vienna/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassination_of_Archduke_Franz_Ferdinand_of_Austria
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