Ludwig and Dürckheim in conjunction drew up a lengthy telegram to the Emperor of Austria, imploring him to intervene. “Put to!” shouted the Count into the stables. “Drive to the Austrian frontier-town of Reutte as quickly as you can, even if you break all your horses’ wind!” At the same time the Empress of Austria also exerted herself to the utmost from Possenhofen to induce her husband to step in. Count Dürckheim, in the King’s name, commanded Baron Frankenstein to form a new Ministry; and the battalion of jægers in Kempten was ordered to come and protect his Majesty. This last despatch went through the hands of Mayr; the valet added to it some words which caused the commandant to ask the Minister of War if he was to obey the order. An answer in the negative was received.
It cannot with certainty be shown what other precautions Count Dürckheim took in order to save his master. He was mentioned as the author of a proclamation which was issued the following day in the King’s name:[2]
“I, Ludwig II., King of Bavaria, feel myself constrained to make the following manifesto to my beloved Bavarians, and the collective German people.
“Prince Luitpold desires against my will to make himself ruler of my land. My former Ministry has duped my beloved people by erroneous representations as to the state of my health, and has been guilty of high treason.
“I feel myself physically and mentally in as good health as any other monarch. The projected treason has come in a manner so surprising that I have not been given time to defeat the base intentions of the Ministry.
“Should the projected deeds of violence be put into execution, and Prince Luitpold seize the reins of government against my will, I give my faithful friends the task of protecting with all their means and under all circumstances my rights.
“I expect of all the officials of Bavaria, above all from the gallant Bavarian officers and the soldiers of Bavaria, that they will, in remembrance of the solemn oath with which they swore loyalty to me, remain faithful to me and stand by me in this heavy hour.
“Every loyal citizen is called upon to brand Prince Luitpold and the former Ministry as traitors.
“I am one with my beloved people, and cherish the firm belief that they will protect me.
“I turn at the same time to the rest of the German people and to the Allied Princes.