Von Bismarck still did not immediately abandon his public service ambitions. In 1934 he attempted to take over as local government president for the Köslin district in succession to Curt Cronau. Cronau had decided to retire "on grounds of old age", having reached the age of 64. Bismarck's application failed, however, following an intervention from the influential Pomeranian Agricultural League and in the light of the exceptionally tense relationship which he had by now developed with party officials. He now returned to the family lands at Lasbeck and concentrated on managing the farm estates.
