Chapter 1263

Frere was quite satisfied with Prime Minister Kuyper's attitude, but he still reminded him: "Mr. Prime Minister, this kind of thing must be cut quickly, after all, the opportunity of European war may end at any time."

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

Frere was referring to the islands that East Africa wanted from the Netherlands. Although the number is small, it can fully guarantee the strategic stability of East Africa in the South Pacific region in the future.

So far, the security of East Africa's colonies in the South Pacific region can be basically guaranteed, and the traffic between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean is no longer subject to others.

...

That night, Freer sent the preliminary situation of his negotiations with the Dutch government back to China. And authorized the embassy in the Netherlands to continue to improve the follow-up content with the Dutch government.

December 7, 1916.

The "East-Netherlands Re-Agreement Treaty on the South Pacific Region" was officially released.

According to the content of the treaty, fourteen islands such as Belitung Island and Sangiang Island, which were originally 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 agreements on ports and infrastructure 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 mutually confirmed the interests of the two countries in the South China Sea, and for the first time clarified the sphere of influence of the two countries in the South China Sea 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 plotting.

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."

"And the two islands are covered with rainforests. Apart from that, there are 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, rather than these two such useless places."

Lieutenant General Kuinman said: "Don't look at the size of 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 this island has enough area to build an airport, it is enough for us. We only need to deploy a few aircraft there to completely block the entire strait."

The location of Sangiang Island was indeed difficult to deal with in the past. According to the previous routine 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 has 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 from the local area is deterrence, rather than relying on this island to imagine a permanent solution."

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

Lieutenant General Kuinman told the truth. After all, naval operations rely on systems and strength. Even if East Africa has no base in the Sunda Strait, can't East Africa control the Sunda Strait?

On the contrary, the Sunda Strait can be said to be sandwiched between the two major fleets in East Africa, which determines that the local area cannot be out of East Africa's control.

Assuming that the Netherlands blocks the Sunda Strait, East Africa is also capable of taking over this route.

Bruce sighed and said, "I don't object to the importance of these two islands, but 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 is also more useful than these two islands.

Bruce went on to say: "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."

"But there is little room for Sangiang Island and Panaytan Island to play. Sangiang Island can only build an airport at most, and 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 arranged to escort or provide simple repair services for warships."

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

"Being 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 dare not 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 can't get any more out of it. The Netherlands is willing to give us these islands, which is already very generous, so some defects of these islands are not a big deal."

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

The population of Belitung Island in the previous life was as high as more than 200,000, so Belitung Island is definitely a large island, but the other islands around Belitung Island are too prominent, which can't highlight the area of ​​this island.

Nearly 4,000 square kilometers is basically equivalent to the area of ​​a city. If this island is placed in Europe, a country will feel distressed to cede such a large territory.

Only in front of East Africa and Russia, two large countries with large land areas, will it appear very small.

Bruce said: "Only a few South Pacific islands with good areas 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 dish happens to be divided by the Indian Ocean Fleet and the Pacific Fleet, just like the Kra Isthmus Territory."

Bruce said: "According to the previous plan, the two islands of Sangiang Island and Panaytan Island, like Phuket Island, will be allocated to the jurisdiction of the Indian Ocean Fleet, so as to ensure the control of the military power of the Pacific region by the mainland."

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 of the East African Navy.

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

This is conducive to ensuring 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, that is, in recent years, East Africa has expanded its colonial activities and sphere of influence in the South Seas.

The Pacific Fleet has ushered in comprehensive development, even so, the Pacific Fleet is much worse than the Indian Ocean or Atlantic Fleet.

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

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

"Belitong Island is located between Sumatra and Lan Fang Overseas Province, with 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 Lan Fang 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 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 its role 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 Lan Fang Overseas Province as the new home port of the Taiping Bay Fleet.