Chapter 86 The Non-Aggression Pact
Arthur and all the Australian officials fell into silence. None of them had expected that the most controversial aspect of the native purchase negotiations would be so readily accepted by the Dutch government.
This meant that the hardest part of the entire operation—suppressing native resistance—would now be handled entirely by the Dutch.
For a brief moment, the room was completely quiet, until Arthur gave a soft cough and the discussion resumed.
Prime Minister Evan, unable to believe it, asked, "Minister Herbert, are you certain the Dutch government is willing to take on the full responsibility of capturing and transporting the natives?"
A single native wasn't worth much. Even thousands of them wouldn't be valued at more than a hundred thousand pounds.
Sending troops to capture and transport them for such a relatively small amount—what benefit did the Netherlands expect to gain? Even if each native were priced at ten pounds, the Dutch would barely break even. When factoring in the cost of deploying troops and naval forces, the expenditure would not be trivial.
"Of course, Minister Evan. We are very sincere about establishing cooperation with Australia. If your government has concerns, we are also willing to sign a formal agreement to guarantee this collaboration," Minister Herbert replied with a natural smile and a nod.
Hearing this, the Australians, while still puzzled, felt reassured.
Once a treaty was signed, even if the Netherlands attempted to go back on its word, the final decision would rest with the Australian government.
In fact, if the Dutch did break the agreement in the future, it would provide Australia with a perfect excuse to pursue greater gains in Southeast Asia—perhaps even to establish a foothold in the Dutch East Indies by taking control of strategically important areas.
"Of course, in addition to the agreement on the sale of natives, the Dutch government, along with Governor Willem representing the Dutch East Indies, would like to sign a friendly non-aggression pact with your government and the government of Australian New Guinea. We're also willing to partially open the East Indies market to Australia. I believe that Australia and the Netherlands currently have no direct conflicts, either in our homelands or colonies. Based on our present goodwill, we are fully capable of signing a mutually significant non-aggression and trade treaty," Minister Herbert continued, shifting the tone of the conversation.
Since Queen Victoria had handed authority over New Guinea and New Zealand to Arthur, Australia had increasingly assumed the role of a unifier in Oceania, while also posing a growing strategic threat to Southeast Asia.
The British Empire and the German Empire had no concerns—being the first and second strongest powers in the world, they maintained friendly and historical relations with Australia.
France also held colonies in Southeast Asia, but they were located in relatively distant areas like Vietnam and Laos.
That left only the Netherlands as the one colonial power with significant holdings near Australia and no formal ties to it.
Portugal still controlled Portuguese Timor just north of Australia, but with its small population and territory, it wasn't considered strategically important.
The Netherlands, however, was a different matter. Once hailed as the "Carriers of the Sea," the Dutch now clung to their homeland, barely maintaining relevance.
Their once-dominant fleet had long been defeated by Britain. Today, the Dutch navy was second-tier in Europe, barely sufficient to defend their colonies—and that, only if no other great powers interfered.
While the Netherlands was still strong relative to Australia, in terms of raw national power and legacy, it was a weakened giant.
But logistics told a different story. From the Dutch homeland to Batavia, capital of the Dutch East Indies, the journey took at least a month.
From Sydney to Batavia, however, the trip would take no more than a week.
Such a disparity in distance translated to an enormous gap in logistics and supply. If Australia ever attempted to seize parts of the Dutch East Indies, and other powers didn't intervene, it was uncertain whether the Dutch could hold the territory.
Previously, the Dutch had retained control of their colonies largely because the British Empire would not allow any other power to dominate such a vast region in Southeast Asia.
But Australia was different. First, it wasn't a major power. At best, its overall national strength could be considered third-rate by European standards.
Second, Australia had deep ties to Britain, and its monarch Arthur had been greatly favored by Queen Victoria.
Furthermore, Australia had excellent relations with the German Empire, and there were even rumors of a mutual assistance treaty between the two.
Given all these factors, the Dutch government felt it absolutely necessary to proactively sign a non-aggression pact with Australia to safeguard the Dutch East Indies.
The Dutch East Indies were as valuable to the Netherlands as India was to the British Empire.
If the British Empire would lose its position as the world's top power without India, then the Netherlands would likewise fall into irrelevance without its East Indies colonies—possibly becoming a third-rate or even insignificant European power.
Upon hearing Minister Herbert's proposal, Prime Minister Evan looked toward Arthur.
He knew full well that such an important matter as an international treaty could never be decided by him alone.
Only with Arthur's approval could he express his opinion—or rather, relay Arthur's official position.
Seeing Arthur give a slight nod, Evan turned back to Minister Herbert and Governor Willem and said, "Australia is a young nation. Our national defense is not yet capable of fully protecting our homeland, but we hold strong hopes for peaceful development. We are willing to sign a non-aggression pact with the Dutch government. This agreement may extend to our respective colonies. We aim to maintain peace in Southeast Asia and will do our part to preserve the current harmony."
Minister Herbert didn't believe a word of Prime Minister Evan's diplomatic rhetoric.
But the fact that Australia was willing to sign the treaty was good news nonetheless.
"That is excellent to hear, Prime Minister Evan. If possible, we also invite your government to send a diplomatic delegation to the Netherlands so we may exchange ambassadors. At that time, in the presence of our two monarchs, we will sign a non-aggression pact of long-term significance for both nations," Minister Herbert said with a smile.
(End of Chapter)
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