African Entrepreneurship Records 2

Chapter 1263: The East-Dutch Re-Agreement Treaty

Freer was quite satisfied with Prime Minister Kuyper's attitude, but he still reminded him: "Your Excellency, we must cut the Gordian knot in this matter. After all, the chance of a European war may end at any time."

"I can also assure you that we have no ambitions for the East Indies. After all, we have already got what we wanted."

What Freer was referring to were naturally the islands that East Africa had obtained from the Netherlands. Although their number was small, they were enough to ensure the strategic stability of East Africa in the South Pacific region in the future.

At this point, the security of East Africa’s colonies in the South Pacific region can be basically guaranteed, and transportation between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean is no longer subject to the control of others.

……

That evening, Freer sent the preliminary situation of the negotiations between himself and the Dutch government back to China, and authorized the Chinese Embassy in the Netherlands to continue to improve the follow-up content with the Dutch government.

1916 12 Month 7 Day.

The "East-Dutch Re-Agreement Treaty on the South Seas Region" was officially released.

According to the treaty, fourteen islands formerly controlled by the Netherlands, including Belitung Island and Sangiang Island, were sold by the Netherlands to East Africa.

At the same time, the Dutch government and East Africa will jointly develop the Sunda Strait route, and the two countries have reached a number of cooperation agreements on ports and infrastructure along the route.

The two countries will work to maintain the openness of the Sunda Strait, jointly combat piracy in the waters between the Sunda Strait and the South China Sea, and provide a safer passage experience for passing ships.

Finally, the East African and Dutch governments mutually confirmed their interests in the South Seas region and for the first time clarified the spheres of influence of the two countries in the South Seas in the form of a treaty.

Rhine City.

Long before Freer went to the Netherlands, the East African government had already made systematic arrangements for the islands it was targeting.

Navy Commander-in-Chief Bruce said: "The area of ​​Sangiang Island is too small, and the nearby Panaytan Island is less than 100 square kilometers. The operational space of these two islands is too small."

"Besides the rainforests, the two islands have almost no other resources that can be used. We should ask the Netherlands for other places, preferably the land on both sides of the strait, instead of these two useless places."

Lieutenant General Kuinman said: "Don't underestimate these two islands, but their location is too important, especially Sangiang Island, which is right in the middle of the narrowest part of the Sunda Strait."

"As long as the island is large enough to build an airport, it will be enough for us. We only need to deploy a few aircraft there to completely block the entire strait."

In the past, the location of Sangiang Island was indeed difficult to deal with. According to previous routine operations, it was to rely on this island to build a military fortress and use artillery to block the strait. However, with the emergence of aircraft, the East African Navy had more options.

"The only drawback of this island is the supply problem. The materials on the island need to be replenished regularly, but this does not affect its strategic value."

"After all, what we need more is deterrence, rather than relying on this island to solve the problem once and for all."

"To truly control the Sunda Strait, we need the strong capabilities of the two major fleets in the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean."

Vice Admiral Kuinman spoke the truth. After all, naval operations rely on systems and strength. Even if East Africa has no base in the Sunda Strait, does that mean it cannot control the Sunda Strait?

On the contrary, the Sunda Strait can be said to be sandwiched between the two major fleets of East Africa, which means that it is impossible for the area to escape from the control of East Africa.

Assuming the Netherlands blocked the Sunda Strait, East Africa would also be able to take over this route.

Bruce sighed and said, "I don't object to the importance of these two islands, it's just that we originally had better options, so we are a little unwilling!"

After all, there are many excellent ports on both sides of the Sunda Strait, and the land for construction can play a greater role than these two islands. Bruce continued: "If we get the ports on both sides of the Sunda Strait from the Netherlands, we can build a comprehensive military port similar to the Phuket military base."

"There is very little room for development on Sangiang and Panaytan. At most, Sangiang can build an airport, but there is no space for large ships to dock."

"The situation on Panaytan Island is not much better. At most, a small fleet can be deployed to provide escort work or provide simple repair services for warships."

"In addition, the construction costs of these two places are higher, and they also need to be designed to maximize their utilization, which will inevitably sacrifice some functions."

Kuinman said: "Be content with what you have. For us, these two islands are more of a deterrent, especially to make other countries afraid to act rashly. After all, most countries don't dare to provoke us."

"Of course, the Empire also needs to consider the attitude of the Dutch. After all, the Netherlands and the Empire have always had a good relationship, and we can't ask for more. The Netherlands is willing to give us these islands, which is very generous, so the defects of these islands are not a big deal."

"What's more, we are also planning to take over an island like Belitung Island, which has quite good conditions. Belitung Island is a big island, and most countries will not let us take advantage of it."

In the past, the population of Belitung Island was as high as over 200,000, so Belitung Island can definitely be considered a large island. However, the other islands surrounding Belitung Island are too prominent and fail to highlight the area of ​​this island.

The island is nearly 4,000 square kilometers, which is basically equivalent to the area of ​​a city. If this island were in Europe, a country would feel painful to cede such a large territory.

Only in front of East Africa and Russia, two large countries in terms of land area, does it appear so small.

Bruce said: "Only a few South Pacific islands with a good area, such as Belitung Island, can give me some comfort. If we control these islands, our influence in the South Pacific region will be further enhanced in the future."

Kuinman said: "Let's divide these islands now! This pot of food is just right for the Indian Ocean Fleet and the Pacific Fleet to be divided up by the two fleets, just like the Kra Isthmus Territory."

Bruce said: "According to the previous plan, the two islands of Sangiang and Panaytan, like Phuket, will be assigned to the jurisdiction of the Indian Ocean Fleet, which will ensure the mainland's control over the military forces in the Pacific region."

The Indian Fleet is the core interest of East Africa. After all, the economic center of East Africa is on the eastern coast, and the Indian Ocean is equivalent to half of East Africa's inland sea. Of course, this is the view within the East African Navy.

Therefore, Phuket, Sangiang Island and other areas that control the core of the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean will naturally be controlled by the Indian Ocean Fleet.

This will help ensure that the Indian Ocean Fleet can enter the Pacific region at any time, but the Pacific Fleet naturally does not have such treatment.

The Pacific Fleet occupies an awkward position among the three major fleets in East Africa, which is due to East Africa's colonial activities and expansion of its sphere of influence in the South Pacific in recent years.

The Pacific Fleet has only just begun to develop comprehensively, but even so, it is still much inferior to the Indian Ocean or Atlantic Fleets.

This time, East Africa has gained so much territory from the South Pacific region. In addition to the territories that the Indian Ocean Fleet must control, the Pacific Fleet can also get a share.

Bruce said, "And islands such as Belitung Island can further expand the control range of the Pacific Fleet and its control over the South Pacific region."

"Belitung Island is located between Sumatra and Lan Fang Overseas Province, and has excellent conditions. It can be used as one of the sub-bases of the Pacific Fleet to relieve the pressure on Pontianak Port."

Pontianak, the capital of the Lan Fang Overseas Province, has always been the home port of the Pacific Fleet, but with the needs of economic development of the Lan Fang Overseas Province.

The East African government is considering moving the Pacific Fleet's home port from Pontianak to other places. After all, in addition to serving as a military port, Pontianak has always been the most important civilian port in Lan Fang.

The emergence of Belitung Island provides the East African Navy with an additional option. As for the original plan of the Navy, it was to find a bay in the southern part of the Lan Fang Overseas Province as the new home port of the Taiping Bay Fleet.

(End of this chapter)