Ima Hogg in Europe, 1914: A Texan Experiences the Beginning of the Great War

Ima Hogg, undated photo. Courtesy of William Lee Pryor.

In the summer of 1914, Ima Hogg, who had lived in Germany in 1907–08 and had traveled to Europe in 1910, 1911, and 1912, suddenly decided to go abroad again.¹ In Houston, Texas, on July 10, 1914, Ima’s eldest brother, Will, wrote in his diary: “Miss I proposes to go to Europe.” The very next day he wrote, “Miss I and I take Interurban [the train from Houston to Galveston] at 1 pm for her to take ‘Chemnitz’ . . . for Bremen.”² Will’s diary does not comment further. His sister, attractive but still unmarried at age thirty-one (she was thirty-two on July 10) was active in Houston’s social life, a founder of the Houston Symphony, and a teacher of piano to a select group of pupils. To this day, the reason for her impulsive journey remains unclear. She sailed from Galveston on a German ship of the North German Lloyd line, the Chemnitz, on July 11, 1914, bound for the port of Bremerhaven.

On June 28, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, and his wife, Duchess Sophie, had been assassinated by a Serbian dissident in Sarajevo. While the Chemnitz was still at sea, diplomatic dominoes across Europe were tumbling down. Apprehensive passengers aboard the Chemnitz stayed informed of the news by cable. On July 28, Austria declared war on Serbia, and Russia began to prepare for war against Austria. On July 31, Germany sent a stern warning to Russia. On August 1, the day that the Chemnitz arrived in Bremerhaven, Germany declared war on Russia. World War I was about to begin.³

The Chemnitz. From NorwayHeritage.com.

Two days later, Ima Hogg began this diary.

Aug. 3^rd 1914

Hook of Holland⁴

Guarded by Holland Men of War.

We are on the St. Petersburg ⁵ at anchor ready to cross of [to] England—quiet and some sense of security seem within short reach. August the first we arrived at Bremerhaven on the good ship Chemnitz ⁶ from Galveston—a voyage of twenty-one days. We were in a measure prepared for the terrible news which greeted us that Germany and Russia were mobilizing. Our ship four or five days ahead had kept us informed in a measure of the conditions ensuing from the Austro-Servian⁷ war news. At present I am really too fatigued and distressed to be writing. However, the atmosphere is such that one does not feel like quietly turning in for much needed rest. From the moment we arose Saturday morning at five, on the Chemnitz until the present moment, has been one succession of shocks and strain. We were until half past nine being allowed to get off the ship. We were astonished to see German guards up and down the wharfs, to prevent Russians from landing.

Chemnitz passengers were quickly escorted aboard a train for the city of Bremen, thirty-five miles to the south. En route, Ima, who had lived in Berlin for a year and had returned to Germany several times, looked out the train’s windows and comforted herself by admiring the scenery.

My eyes were rejoiced all the way from Bremerhaven to Bremen by the beautiful fields and the rosy faced toilers which I have long ago learned to love. Germany has never looked lovelier to my eyes or the Germans sturdier and finer. What a superb land and people! On getting to Bremen I made as fast as I could to Hotel Central for rooms for Miss Rouse, Ruth Curtis and myself.⁸ I was surprised to get rooms and that the prices were not raised in view of the great rush there from all points. But the real rush began right after we had secured our rooms. The German Kaiser had made an ultimatum to Russia that if she did not cease her mobilization...