Bismarck was furious. He blamed little Liechtenstein for the decision. How was the Principality to blame? According to a circular published at that time the little states in the Confederation had too much representation all out of proportion to their size. The larger and medium sized states had one vote each, while the smaller ones, grouped in Curias, had one vote each. Within the Curias, they decided their stance by a simple majority. The 16th Curia composed of six small states had voted for mobilization. Bismarck's supporters claimed that only Liechtenstein had voted for mobilization and the majority was against it. They further claimed that due to an error the vote of the Curia was changed to be in favour of Mobilization. If the supposedly correct vote had recorded then there would have been an equal number against as for. And no mobilization would have taken place. Thus, Bismarck claimed that tiny Liechtenstein had somehow brought about the pro-Austrian vote of the Curia.
This was all the excuse Bismarck needed. He claimed that his country was being unjustly attacked. Why should a country with a population of 6,000 and army of only 80 men have such influence? It was ridiculous and the whole democratic system and structure of the German Confederation was senseless.
Apparently the notorious 16th Curia vote in favour of mobilization was the correct one. According to a circular by Baron von Kubeck to the representatives of the Foreign Powers at the Diet, Frankfort, July 14, 1866, Lippe and Waldeck voted against mobilization while Liechtenstein and Reuss-Griez voted for it. Reuss-Schliez abstained and Schaumberg-Lippe voted yes provided no instructions to the contrary were received by June 14th. Two hours after the vote, Herr von Strauss, the Minister of Schaumburg-Lippe did receive orders to vote for the mobilization. Thus with the vote three for, two against and one abstention, the Confederation declared for mobilization against Prussia. It was war.
