His moderation, which received the warm approval of Lord Russell, of course only added to his unpopularity in Germany.  The Danish Government, however, refused to accept Bismarck’s proposal; they brought in still another Constitution by which the complete incorporation of Schleswig with the Monarchy was decreed.  This was an overt breach of their treaty engagements and a declaration of war with Germany.  At the beginning of November, it was carried through the Rigsrad by the required majority of two-thirds, and was sent up to the King to receive his signature.  Before he had time to sign it the King died.

It was expected that the death of the King would make little difference in the situation, for it had been agreed that Christian of Glucksburg should succeed to all the provinces of the Monarchy.  The first act he had to perform was the signature of the new Constitution; it is said that he hesitated, but was told by the Ministers that if he refused they would answer neither for his crown nor his head.  On November 23d he signed.

Before this had happened the situation had received an unexpected change.  A new claimant appeared to dispute his title to the Duchies.  The day after the death of the King, Frederick, eldest son of the Duke of Augustenburg, published a proclamation announcing his succession to the Duchy under the title of Frederick VIII.  No one seems to have foreseen this step; it was supposed that after the agreement of 1853 the question of succession had been finally settled.  The whole of the German nation, however, received with enthusiasm the news that it was again to be raised.

They believed that the Prince was the lawful heir; they saw in his claim the possibility of permanently separating the Duchies from Denmark.  Nothing seemed to stand between this and accomplishment except the Treaty of London.  Surely the rights of the Duchies, and the claim of Augustenburg, supported by united Germany, would be strong enough to bear down this treaty which was so unjust.

The question will be asked, was the claim of Augustenburg valid?  No positive answer can be given, for it has never been tried by a competent court of law.  It may, however, I think, be said that although there were objections, which might invalidate his right to at least a part of the Duchies, it is almost certain that a quite impartial tribunal would have decided that he had at least a better claim than any of his rivals.  This at least would have been true fifteen years before.  When, however, the Treaty of London was arranged it was necessary to procure the renunciation of all the different claimants.  That of the Emperor of Russia, the Duke of Oldenburg, and others was obtained without much difficulty; the Duke of Augustenburg long refused.  In order to compel him to renounce, the Danish Government refused to restore to him his private property, which had been confiscated owing to the part he had taken in the late rebellion.