Friedrich Engels

Measures concerning the German Refugees

** Bern, December 5.

Neue Rheinische Zeitung. No. 165, December 10, 1848

The Federal Council has now, partly in order to deprive the Imperial authority of all pretext for hostile measures, partly to show its impartiality towards Ticino and to put into practice in the northern cantons as well the triumph of a strict policy of neutrality gained in the debate on Ticino, adopted measures with regard to the German refugees. The policy of Furrer–Munzinger–Ochsenbein is being carried through everywhere. A circular of the Federal Council to the frontier cantons concerned reiterates the principles laid down by the Directorial Canton and once more insists on the internment of all refugees who took part in the Struve expedition; and to lend emphasis to this demand, the President of the Federal Assembly, Dr. Steiger, already left yesterday as federal representative for the northern cantons.

There is no objection to be made to the measures in themselves. That Switzerland does not want to expose herself to unpleasantness on account of a few free corps men who are itching for adventures and are heartily bored in their exile, nobody will hold against her. But why then that audacious language towards Germany before, that positive assurance that one had done one’s duty, if now one indirectly admits not having done it, if only now one proposes to ascertain to what extent the cantons have complied with the instructions of the Directorial Canton? It cannot be denied that this decision of the Federal Council, an act of justice towards Ticino, is a complete disavowal of the last official act of the Directorial Canton; and however undivided the applause which the note received, just as little joy will be caused by this beginning of the disavowal of the note.

Once again nothing is heard of the German border blockade, except that all Swabia is protesting against it. Whether it will be put into effect or not is again left to the good Lord. At all events, the Federal Council has resolved, for the time being, not to station any troops opposite the Imperial division.

The federal war council has now finished its current business and has been definitively dissolved. In its place will be set up a war bureau which Ochsenbein, as head of the military department, will establish and direct.

The new Spanish envoy, M. Neviez, who arrived here a few days ago with letters of credence for the Directorial Canton, has now presented them to the Vice-President of the Federal Council, M. Druey, and thereby at once established contact with the new authorities.

The press is greatly incensed at the treatment of the Swiss in Vienna, of which I recently gave you some samples. It demands that the Federal Council should demand satisfaction and compensation from Austria. In particular, the conduct of the Bernese General Wyss is arousing general indignation here. The brother of this general is an architect here in Bern.