It was known to the Directorate, that Lord Salisbury was an enthusiastic amateur scientist, private inventor and accomplished reader and writer on a great many subjects. He had long had a serious and friendly interest in the varied scientific studies of the Solar Polar colony and a general interest in north and south polar exploration and discovery projects. The Directorate thus had the feeling that the pressure to take a more active role in it's affairs was not his personal desire or even a project he subscribed to. The pressure, likely came from the Foreign Office's own departmental staff and undersecretaries, who were more greatly interested in increasing their own administrative importance and the power of the Foreign Office over potential colonial developements in opposition to the desires of their rivals amoung the Colonial Office and India Office officials.
Consequently, while the Directorate could with some justification write off the Colonial Office's interest in their affairs, and it was unlikely to carry a great deal of weight in British governmental circles at least for the present. The Admiralty and Foreign Office administrative moves were however much more serious and were a great deal more likely to develop into something very real if they preceeded uninterrupted by any moves on either the British government's or the Directorate's respective parts.
The Directorate had three possible options to play in that regard. Number one, being to directly appeal to the British Cabinent of Lord Salisbury to maintain the current status quo, rather then change it in any substantive way. Number two, the Directorate could appeal to Queen-Empress Victoria I, herself directly and ask her to intervene in the dispute. Number Three, was to wage a campaign of persuasion in British and foreign scientific journals and public newspapers to bend popular opinion in the Solar Polar colony's favour, which would make options one and/or two, easier to effect.
Not that either Lord Salisbury or Queen Victoria were likely to be swayed by mere public opinion both being strong minded and not easily intimidated, they would take note of it when making their decision at least. The British Parliament, particularly the House of Commons, however was much more susceptible to public pressure and lobbying efforts. The House of Lords was generally less prone to acting on public opinion but it's decisions could still be influenced subtly if one knew what levers to throw.
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