One after another they had to be removed.

Bismarck dealt first with the Confederate troops.
He had, as indeed he always was careful to have, the strict letter of the law on his side; he pointed out that as the execution had been directed against the government of Christian, and Christian had ceased to have any authority, the execution itself must _ipso facto_ cease; he therefore wrote asking Austria to join in a demand to Saxony and Hanover; he was prepared, if the States refused, to expel their troops by force.

Hanover--for the King strongly disliked Augustenburg--at once acquiesced; Saxony refused.

Bismarck began to make military preparations; the Saxons began to arm; the Crown treasures were taken from Dresden to Koenigstein.

Would Austria support Saxony or Prussia?
For some days the question was in debate; at last Austria determined to support a motion at the Diet declaring the execution ended.