Chapter 1263 "East Netherlands Re-agreement Treaty"
Freer was quite satisfied with Prime Minister Kuyper's attitude, but he still reminded: "Your Excellency, Prime Minister, this kind of matter must be cut off quickly. After all, the opportunity for a European war may end soon."
"I can also assure you that we have no ambitions for the East Indies. After all, we have got what we want now."
Freer is naturally referring to the islands that East Africa wants to acquire from the Netherlands. Although they are not large in number, they can fully guarantee East Africa's strategic stability in the Southeast Asia region in the future.
At this point, the security of East Africa's colonies in the Southeast Asia region can basically be guaranteed, and transportation between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean is no longer controlled by others.
…
That evening, Freer sent home the preliminary status of his negotiations with the Dutch government. The Embassy in the Netherlands is also authorized to work with the Dutch government to continue to improve follow-up content.
December 7, 1916.
The "Re-agreement Treaty between East and Netherlands on the Nanyang Area" was officially released.
According to the treaty, the 14 islands including Belitung Island and Sanghiang Island that were formerly controlled by the Netherlands were sold to East Africa by the Netherlands.
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 on ports, infrastructure, etc. along the route.
The two countries will be committed to maintaining the smooth flow of the Sunda Strait, jointly combating piracy in the waters between the Sunda Strait and the South China Sea, and providing a safer passage experience for passing ships.
Finally, the East African and Dutch governments recognized each other's interests in the Southeast Asia region, and for the first time clarified the two countries' spheres of influence in the Southeast Asia region 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 planned islands.
Navy Commander-in-Chief Bruce said: "The area of Sanguian Island is too small, and the adjacent Panetan Island is less than 100 square kilometers. The operational space of these two islands is too small."
"Moreover, the two islands are covered by rainforest. Apart from this, there are almost no other resources that can be utilized. We should ask the Netherlands for other places, preferably land on both sides, rather than these two such useless places."
Lieutenant General Kuyinman said: "Although these two islands are not big, their positions are too important, especially Sanguiang Island, which is right in the middle of the narrowest part of the Sunda Strait."
"As long as the island has enough area to build an airport, it is enough for us. We only need to deploy a few aircraft locally to completely block the entire strait."
The location of Sanghiang Island was indeed difficult to deal with in the past. According to the previous conventional operation, 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 chose There are also more.
"The only disadvantage of this island is the supply problem. The supplies on the island need to be replenished regularly, but this does not affect its strategic value."
"After all, what we need more from the local area is deterrence, rather than relying on this island to really rely on the fantasy of once and for all."
"To truly control the Sunda Strait, what is needed is the strong strength of the two fleets in the Indian Ocean and the Pacific."
Lieutenant General Kuyinman told the truth. After all, naval operations rely on system and strength. Even if East Africa does not have a base in the Sunda Strait, can't East Africa control the Sunda Strait?
On the contrary, the Sunda Strait can be said to be in the middle of the two major fleets in East Africa, which determines that it is impossible for the area to escape the control of East Africa.
Bruce sighed and said: "I don't object to the importance of these two islands, it's just that we originally had better choices, so we are a little unwilling to do so!"
After all, there are many excellent ports on both sides of the Sunda Strait, and the land for construction is greater than the role that these two islands can play. Bruce continued: "If we get the ports on both sides of the Sunda Strait from the Netherlands, then we can build a comprehensive military port similar to the Phuket military base."
"However, Sanghiang Island and Panetan Island have very little space to play. Sanghiang Island can only build an airport, and there is no space for large ships to dock."
"The situation on Panetan Island is not much better. At most, a small formation can be arranged to conduct **** work or provide simple repair services for warships."
"Moreover, the construction costs of these two places are also higher, and they need to be designed to maximize utilization, which will inevitably sacrifice some functions."
Kuyinman said: "It's always good to be content. For us, these two islands are more of a deterrent, especially to other countries. 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 relationship between the Netherlands and the Empire has always been good, and we cannot push it too far. The Netherlands is very generous if it is willing to give us these islands, so some flaws in these islands do not count. event."
"What's more, we are also trying to find an island like Belitung Island with quite good conditions. Belitung Island is a big island. How can any other country let us take advantage of this?"
In the previous life, Belitung Island had a population of more than 200,000, so Belitung Island can definitely be regarded as a large island. However, the other islands around Belitung Island are too prominent and cannot reflect the size of the island.
With nearly four thousand square kilometers, it is basically equivalent to the area of a city. If this island were placed in Europe, it would be heartbreaking for a country to cede such a large territory.
Only East Africa and Russia, two large countries in terms of land area, will appear very small.
Bruce said: "Only Belitung Island and a few other good-sized Southeast Asian islands can give me some comfort. By controlling these islands, our influence in the Southeast Asian region will further increase in the future."
Kuyinman said: "It's better to divide these islands now! This pot of vegetables happens to be divided between the Indian Ocean Fleet and the Pacific Fleet, just like the Kra Isthmus territory."
Bruce said: "Sanghiang Island and Panetan Island, according to the previous plan, like Phuket Island, are assigned to the jurisdiction of the Indian Ocean Fleet. This can ensure the mainland's suppression of military power in the Pacific region."
The Indian fleet is the core interest of East Africa. After all, the center of East Africa's economy is on the eastern coast. The Indian Ocean is equivalent to half of the inland sea of East Africa. Of course, this is the internal view of the East African navy.
Therefore, Phuket Island, Sanguiang Island and other areas that control the core of the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean are naturally controlled by the Indian Ocean Fleet.
This will help ensure that the Indian Ocean Fleet can enter the Pacific region at any time, while the Pacific Fleet naturally does not have such treatment.
The Pacific Fleet is in 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 Ocean in recent years.
The Pacific Fleet has just ushered in all-round development. Even so, the Pacific Fleet is much worse than the Indian Ocean or Atlantic Fleet.
And this time East Africa has gained so much territory from the Southeast Asia region. In addition to what the Indian Ocean Fleet must control, the Pacific Fleet can also get a share of the pie.
Just listen to Bruce say: "Islands such as Belitung Island can further expand the scope of control of the Pacific Fleet and its control over the Southeast Asian region."
"Belitung Island is located between Sumatra and Lanfang Overseas Province. It has excellent conditions. It can be used as one of the sub-bases of the Pacific Fleet to relieve the pressure on the original Pontianak Port."
Pontianak is the capital of Lanfang Overseas Province. It has always been the home port of the Pacific Fleet in the past, but with the needs of the economic development of Lanfang 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 its role as a military port, Pontianak Port has always been the most important civilian port in Lanfang.
The emergence of Belitung Island provided the East African Navy with one more option. As for the original plan of the Navy, it was to find a bay in the southern part of Lanfang Overseas Province to use as a new home port for the Taiping Bay Fleet.
(End of chapter)