Some talked of the danger of isolation; "With 400,000 men we cannot be isolated," he said.

The French envoy warned him that his policy might lead to another Jena; "Why not to Waterloo ?" he answered.

Others talked of the danger of an English blockade of their coasts; he pointed out that this would injure England more than Prussia.
"Let us be bold and depend on our own strength; let us frighten Austria by threatening an alliance with Russia, frighten Russia by letting her think we may join the Western Powers; if it were true that we could never side with Russia, at least we must retain the possibility of threatening to do so." The result was what we might expect from the character of the King; unable to decide for either of the contending factors, he alternated between the two, and gave his support now to one, now to the other.

In March, when Bismarck was still in Berlin, sudden disgrace fell upon the English party; Bunsen was recalled from London, Bonin, their chief advocate in the Ministry, was dismissed; when the Prince of Prussia, the chief patron of the Western alliance, protested, he was included in the act of disfavour, and had to leave Berlin, threatened with the loss of his offices and even with arrest.

All danger of war with Russia seemed to have passed; Bismarck returned content to Frankfort.