Mannerheim’s opinions were also taken into account in foreign policy, although the Senate was more willing than he to comply with German intentions. In early March, the Senate promoted him General of the Cavalry to secure his position as the leader of the auxiliary German expedition. The political powers of the Senate grew larger, as the speaker of the Senate, P.E. Svinhufvud, managed to reach Ostrobothnia by way of Germany and Sweden, and thus added his own authority to the leadership of the Vaasa Senate.

To emphasize the importance of the Finnish Army alongside with the Germans, a Victory Parade of "the yeoman army" was organized in Helsinki on the 16th of May, 1918. In connection with the parade, the Commander-in-Chief addressed the Senate on behalf of the army, and requested them to guide the "state ship" with a firm hand. This attitude worked in the hands of monarchists in the fight for the form of government.