Cologne, September 25. Scarcely had the official news of the 
formation of the counter-revolutionary Government* reached the 
Rhine when the Public Prosecutor’s office here suddenly developed 
not only an almighty appetite for arrests but a zeal for activity such as 
was not encountered even in the old police state. 

The counter-revolutionary campaign started this morning. Its 
heroes have won victories in some fields and suffered defeats in 
others—a fate that has befallen even greater generals. The intention 
was to lead away a few dozen Cologne democrats as early morning 
spoils and to delight the local wailers*™ over their breakfasts with the 
news. However, part of the prey was wrested from these gentlemen. 
For example, Wachter, captain of the 9th Company of the civic, 
militia, was snatched by the people from the clutches of the Holy 
Hermandad.’” Six guardians of the law forced their way into the 
house of our fellow citizen Moll. The crowd that quickly gathered 
around the house and its threatening attitude caused two of these 
gentlemen to flee into the attic and a third into the cellar. Un- 
fortunately the house has only one exit. Moll acceded to the 
wishes of these terrified gentlemen and asked the people to allow the 
brigade of six men to withdraw in safety. 

Becker and Schapper, on the other hand, were led off to gaol in the 
early hours of the morning. There are reports that in addition to 
Burgers several other members of the editorial staff of our 
newspaper are on the proscribed list and that attempts have been 
made to arrest them. 


* See this volume, pp. 448-49.— Ed. 


Counter-Revolution in Cologne 453 


If these gentlemen go ahead with their plans, it will soon be a 
mystery how the editorial work of our newspaper is to be carried out. 
But we believe we can declare that all the manoeuvres directed 
against us will fail in their main aim and that our readers will 
continue as usual to receive the newspaper regularly. It is merely a 
question of who will first lose their sense of humour: the gentlemen 
from the Public Prosecutor’s office or the editors of the Neue 
Rheinische Zeitung. 

We would add that even now some policemen etc. are on their 
way to Miulheim to punish several hated democrats there with arrest 
and imprisonment.