KEO.PLUS

Arthur and all the Australian officials fell silent. They didn’t expect that during the negotiation on purchasing Indigenous Peoples, which should have been the most controversial topic, the Dutch government would compromise so easily.

This means that the most difficult part of buying Indigenous Peoples, specifically suppressing their resistance, will be undertaken by the Dutch government.

There was even a brief moment of silence in the room, only broken when Arthur coughed softly and the conversation gradually resumed.

Prime Minister Evan asked in disbelief, “Minister Herbert, are you sure the Dutch government will undertake all the work of capturing and transporting Indigenous Peoples?”

An Indigenous Person is not worth much money, and even if there are thousands of them, their value will not exceed 100,000 pounds.

What is the benefit for the Netherlands to deploy its military to capture and transport Indigenous Peoples for just tens of thousands of pounds? Even if each Indigenous Person could get ten pounds in funds, it would not be a loss for the Dutch government, but it seems unlikely that they would earn substantial funds from this trade, considering the expenses of deploying the military and the fleet.

“Of course, Minister Evan. We are very sincere in our cooperation with Australia. If your government is not reassured, we can sign a treaty with explicit clauses to solidify this collaboration,” Minister Herbert nodded naturally, smiling.

Seeing Minister Herbert speak so confidently, although everyone still felt it was somewhat strange, they were reassured.

After signing the treaty, even if the Kingdom of the Netherlands wants to back out in the future, it would depend on whether the Australian government agrees or not.

Moreover, if the Kingdom of the Netherlands wants to renege in the future, they would provide Australia with an excuse to seek more islands in Southeast Asia and even meddle in the Dutch East Indies, occupying some areas of significant interest.

“Of course, besides signing the treaty for the sale of Indigenous Peoples, the Dutch government and the government of the Dutch East Indies, represented by Governor William, want to sign a non-aggression treaty of friendship with your government and the Government of Papua New Guinea. The market in the Dutch East Indies can also be partially opened to Australia. I believe that there is no conflict between Australia and the Netherlands on their native land and their colonies at present. We can sign meaningful non-aggression and trade treaties based on our current good relationships,” Minister Herbert changed the subject and continued.

Since Queen Victoria handed over the sovereignty of New Guinea and the control of New Zealand to Arthur, Australia has the potential to unite Oceania and has already posed a considerable threat to Southeast Asia to the north.

An Australia with no external threat and close proximity to Southeast Asia is not good news for all Indigenous Peoples and colonial countries in the Dutch East Indies.

The British Empire and Germany are fine, not only are they the first and second world powers, but they also have good relationships and origins with Australia. Similarly, France, which also has its colonies in Southeast Asia, has its colonies in the relatively distant Vietnam and Laos.

As a result, the only country with very important colonies and close proximity to Australia but having no relationship with Australia is the Netherlands. Although Portugal also possesses Portuguese Timor, which is not far from the north of Australia, this small area with a small population is not that important to Portugal.

But the Netherlands is different. Once known as the sea’s coachman, the Kingdom of the Netherlands now can only hide on its own native land.

The once-dominant fleet has long been defeated by Britain, and its current naval size is second-rate in Europe. It can only barely defend its own colonies, of course, under the premise that other powers have no designs on the Dutch East Indies.

Although the Netherlands’ strength and national power make it a bigger camel than a horse even in its weakened state, it is still much more potent than Australia.

However, since the Netherlands is far away in Europe, it takes at least a month from there to the capital of the Dutch East Indies, Batavia.

In contrast, from the Capital Sydney of Australia to Batavia, it takes at most one week.

The vast difference in distance represents a significant difference in logistics. If Australia truly wants to seize the Dutch East Indies and other powers do not interfere, it is uncertain whether the Netherlands can hold on.

The reason the Netherlands could previously protect its colonies was that the British Empire did not allow any other power to occupy such a vast territory in Southeast Asia.

But Australia is different. Firstly, Australia is not a major power and can barely be considered a third-rate European country in terms of comprehensive national strength.

Additionally, Australia has a deep relationship with the British Empire, and Australia’s monarch Arthur was favored by the former Queen Victoria of the British Empire.

Australia also has a good relationship with the German Empire, and there were even rumors that the two countries had reached a support treaty.

Under these factors, the Dutch government generally believes that they must proactively sign a non-aggression treaty with Australia to better ensure the safety of the Dutch East Indies.

The status of the Dutch East Indies can be compared to that of British India in the British Empire.

If the loss of India means the British Empire cannot maintain the world’s first power, then the loss of the Dutch East Indies would turn the Netherlands into a third-rate or even non-mainstream European country.

Hearing Minister Herbert speak, Prime Minister Evan looked at Arthur.

He knew very well that the signing of treaties between nations was not something he could decide on his own.

Only after Arthur nods can he express his opinion. Or rather, relay Arthur’s thoughts.

Seeing Arthur nod slightly, Prime Minister Evan turned around and addressed Minister Herbert and Governor William, “Australia is an emerging country, and the defense forces we have are not enough to fully protect our territory, but we also have beautiful hopes for peaceful development. Australia is willing to sign a non-aggression treaty with the Dutch government, which can extend to the colonies we each have. We are willing to maintain a peaceful development situation in Southeast Asia and will make efforts to maintain the current peaceful status.”

Minister Herbert did not believe Prime Minister Evan’s rhetoric.

Still, he was pleased to see Australia willing to sign the treaty.

“That’s great news, Prime Minister Evan. If possible, we would also like to invite your government to send a diplomatic delegation to the Netherlands and appoint ambassadors to each other. At that time, under the joint witness of the monarchs of both parties, we will sign a meaningful non-aggression treaty for both countries,” Minister Herbert said with a smile.