By now, there was no room for him to back down. Gritting his teeth, Rotes said, "Marshal, many innocent civilians were swept up by the rebels during this uprising and have now been arrested as well.
"They all have families to support. When do you think they can be released?"
Marshal Radetzky laughed it off. "That is indeed a problem, but put your mind at ease. We are conducting screenings, though that will take some time.
"As for their families, that is easily handled. The Venice municipal government has already begun distributing grain. Everyone can receive a ration; no one will starve!"
Figuring out who were genuine rebels and who were civilians dragged into it was not something that could be done overnight.
The enemy was about to attack, and at a time like this, stability outweighed everything. Marshal Radetzky did not want to take risks, and Franz was even less likely to do so. That was why the Vienna government had taken those people away at once.
Most of them were workers anyway. Even if they had made a mistake, it did not matter. The government could issue them back pay afterward and place them in state-run factories, enough to soothe the resentment in their hearts.
With a little guidance, their hatred could be redirected toward the rebels. After all, if those people had not dragged them into the mess, none of this would have happened.
Naturally, the government was in the right. Even if it had made a mistake, had it not paid them wages? It even helped them find work. No matter what, state-run factories treated them far better than the capitalists did.
Without comparison, there could be no hurt. People were pragmatic, especially ordinary folk who worried every day about food, drink, relieving themselves, and sleep.