To Bernstorff, his envoy at the Congress, he writes: "Austria is endeavouring to establish irrevocably the candidacy of Augustenburg in order by this means to render it difficult for Prussia to impose special conditions.

We cannot consent to this.
The dynastic questions must be discussed with special consideration for Prussian interests, and, consequently, other possibilities cannot be ruled out, until we have negotiated with Augustenburg and ascertained in what relation to Prussia he intends to place himself and his country.

If the person of Augustenburg meets with more opposition in the Conference than the project of a division, then let the former drop." The proposal, however, had to be made; for once, all the German Powers appeared in agreement when they demanded from the neutrals the recognition of Augustenburg; but Bismarck proposed it in such words as to avoid pledging himself to the legality.

Of course the proposal was rejected by the Danes and Russians and it was allowed to fall to the ground.

For Bismarck the interest is for the moment diverted from London to Berlin.
The time had come when Bismarck should definitely decide on the attitude he was to adopt toward Augustenburg.