Report on the Sentiment and Mobilization in Passeier Valley

Austrian Monarchy

Non-official section.

The following semi-official article is communicated to us from Passeier. Unrest has broken out in Passeier, it is said that the district magistrate and several of his officials were driven out. — Such, at least, was the tale reportedly told in the Wipp and Inn valleys, and perhaps even in Nassau. — Yes, the people of Passeier have grown restless, that is true, very restless; yet with the district magistrate and his officials they still live in the most cordial harmony. Whence then this unrest? You shall learn presently. — When the people of Passeier heard that their Italian neighbors had broken faith with the best monarch, our good Emperor Ferdinand, and had rebelled against him at the very moment he had crowned all the good he had bestowed upon all his subjects, it cut them to the heart; they first spoke of it among themselves and then recounted it at home to their wives. Thereupon great unrest arose, not only within houses, but on every path and road. We cannot endure this, it was said everywhere, and even if we are not in a position to bring the Italians back to their duty, they shall not transplant their disloyal sentiments onto German soil. And the women said: You men, take your rifles, hurry to the borders, and drive back the Italian agitators should they dare to step onto German territory; we wish to remain German women; leave us to tend to house and hearth! — And now there is a running to and fro, a bustle and an arming, etc. God willing, dear compatriots, you will soon see those fine, tall men marching out once again, who were always among the first when danger threatened the good Emperor and the beloved Fatherland.