On 30 June 1914, news of Archduke Franz Ferdinand's assassination reached Salm, causing great unease. People began to hoard coffee and salt in expectation of the forthcoming war. The western border was militarized, and then on 1 August 1914 came the Mobilization Order from the Emperor. Among other side-effects was a great upswing in prices for various foodstuffs. In 1916, heavy guns could be heard shooting in the Battle of Verdun about 140 km away; the noise was loudest on 14 December.