Engels in Neue Rheinische Zeitung May 1849

A Question to the Workers

Source: MECW Volume 9, p. 413;
Written: by Engels on May 7, 1849;
First published: in the special supplement to the Neue Rheinische Zeitung No. 292, May 8, 1849.

Cologne, May 7. The Prussian gentlemen seem to be making every effort to provoke a riot.

The day before yesterday the artillerymen (concerning whom, incidentally, the Government is labouring under a great illusion) were paid 15 silver groschen per man as a “supplement” for the previous month. True, the infantry also received this supplement.

The officers of one regiment stationed here have directly called on their soldiers to start a riot tomorrow.

This evening a scuffle between soldiers and civilians has already taken place on Neumarkt Square.

Once more we ask the workers whether they want to let the Prussian gentlemen dictate the moment for the uprising?