Europe's political landscape is in turmoil; how could the United Kingdom possibly be absent? France and Austria's conflict not flaring up has been a great disappointment for the London Government.
However, Prime Minister John Russell was not worried, for where there is a first, there will be a second. Regardless of their pretext, the French reaching into Austria's backyard is a fact.
The seeds of conflict between the two nations have been sown, and for the British, that is enough. Fomenting discord between France and Austria, ensuring they oppose and constrain each other, is the option most in line with British interests.
Actually having them go to war would not be a good thing. Or to put it another way, the London Government wouldn't want to see any war that disrupts the balance of Europe.
