Would he be able to bring it about?
This was what was in his mind when he had to consider the attitude he should adopt at the Conference.
He could not, of course, propose it openly; he might be able to arrange affairs so that in the universal confusion this solution should be welcomed.

He first of all began to change his attitude towards the German agitation for Augustenburg; hitherto he had opposed and discouraged it; now he let it have free course.

He wrote: "The present situation is such that it seems to me desirable to let loose the whole pack against the Danes at the Congress; the joint noise will work in the direction of making the subjugation of the Duchies to Denmark appear impossible to foreigners; they will have to consider programmes which the Prussian Government cannot lay before them." What this means is that England and Russia were to be convinced that Denmark could not regain the Duchies; then they would have to consider who should have them.

Bismarck believed that Austria was irrevocably opposed to Augustenburg.

"She would rather see the Duchies in our hands than in those of the Prince," he wrote.