The time had come when Bismarck should definitely decide on the attitude he was to adopt toward Augustenburg.  Hitherto he had avoided committing himself irrevocably; it was still open to him either to adopt him as the Prussian candidate on such conditions as might seem desirable, or to refuse to have any dealings with him.  He had, in fact, kept both plans open, for it was characteristic of his diplomatic work that he would generally keep in his mind, and, to some extent, carry out in action, several different plans at the same time.  If one failed him he could take up another.  In this case he intended, if possible, to get the Duchies for Prussia; it was always to be foreseen that the difficulties might be insurmountable; he had therefore to consider the next best alternative.  This would be the creation of a new State, but one which was bound to Prussia by a special and separate treaty.  There were many demands, some of them legitimate, which Prussia was prepared to make.  Bismarck attributed great importance to the acquisition of Kiel, because he wanted to found a Prussian navy.  Then he was very anxious to have a canal made across Holstein so that Prussian vessels could reach the North Sea without passing the Sound; and of course he had to consider the military protection on the north.  It would therefore be a condition that, whoever was made Duke, certain military and other privileges should be granted to Prussia.  On this, all through the summer, negotiations were carried on unofficially between the Prince of Augustenburg and the Prussian authorities.  We cannot here discuss them in detail, but the Prince seems to have been quite willing to acquiesce in these naval and military requirements.  He made several suggestions and objections in detail, and he also pointed out that constitutionally he could not enter into a valid treaty until after he had been made Duke and received the assent of the Estates.  I think, however, that no one can doubt that he was quite loyal to Prussia and really wished to bring the matter to a satisfactory issue.  As might be expected, he was very cautious in his negotiations with Bismarck, but his letters to the King are more open.  Had Bismarck wished he could at any time have come to an agreement with the Prince, but he never gave the opportunity for a serious and careful discussion on the detailed wording of the conditions.  He did not wish to be bound by them, but he kept the negotiations open in case events occurred which might compel him to accept this solution.

In his treatment of the question he was, to some extent, influenced by the personal dislike he always felt for the Prince.