| Content Description | Reports that he has received his note from a messenger who had missed his regular train; the messenger had taken a special parliamentary train and had not telegraphed his arrival from Cologne; was glad to know the views of the Prussian representative relative to the conference; relates the position of Hanover; following the death of Frederick VII, Platen had suggested a conference of the great powers; Platen now thought the 1852 treaty ought to be taken into consideration; comments that war would be the best solution for Germany as it would prevent internal revolution; Platen's position was difficult; 4 out of 7 ministers had not forgiven him for declaring Hanover's adherence to the Treaty of 1852; those Ministers favoured recognising the Prince of Augustenburg as a first step to him becoming King.
Platen denied having moved to the Bavarian camp; he did not know the position of Württemburg; Hanover should aim to prevent revolution at home; Lord Russell had stated that if the Diet did not insist upon Augustenburg having Holstein, that Austria and Prussia would send troops; Platen reports the King of Prussia had refused to allow the governments of Austria and Prussia to take the matter into their own hands; Bismarck had advocated the course referred to by Lord Russell, but the King refused; Wodehouse had telegraphed information to Russell that the Danes would use force to prevent the occupation of Schleswig; would like to know the reaction of Austria, France and Prussia; discusses the effect of the Danish change of ministry. |