Engels in Neue Rheinische Zeitung November 1848

News from Switzerland

Source: MECW Volume 8, p. 55;
Written: by Engels on November 20, 1848;
First published: in the supplement to Neue Rheinische Zeitung No. 151, November 24, 1848.

Berne, November 20. I have just heard from officials of the Federal War Department that the German Central Authority is reported to have declared war on Switzerland.^[65] The courier arrived yesterday evening, and the Vorort was said to have gone into session at 11 o'clock the same evening. Measures had already been taken for serious war preparations. It was stated further that 50,000 imperial troops were concentrating on the Swiss frontier to begin hostilities.

I am passing this news to you exactly as I heard it. I myself do not believe it, although the source is reliable. I would not credit even the Imperial Government with such lunacy.