Subsequently, the East African government's discussion of ambitious development plans for the Isthmus of Kra came to an abrupt halt. Setting aside its strategic value, there was truly little to discuss in economic terms.
The main event was still the population issue. Once the population problem in the Kra Isthmus Territory was resolved, neither Siam nor any other country would ever be able to reclaim the Kra Isthmus Territory.
Ernst said, "The population policy for the Kra Isthmus Territory includes two aspects: an immigration policy led by us, and a policy of assimilation and integration."
"In the future, the immigrant population of the Isthmus of Kra must be no fewer than two hundred thousand, thereby changing the local demographic structure. Citizens of our country who are willing to live and work in the Kra Isthmus Territory must be given support and preferential policies."
"As for the local Siamese, those willing to accept East African rule and Germanization may be screened."
The East African government was not, after all, butchers through and through. It could accept people willing to integrate with the Rhine people; after all, East Africa had taken in more than a hundred thousand natives from East Kalimantan.
Of course, there was one limiting condition: populations practicing Hinduism or the Arab religion were certainly not within the East African government's consideration.
At the end of 1916, the East African government once again dispatched an envoy to The Hague in the Netherlands.
Standing at the bow, Freer sighed. "Returning to my old stomping grounds this time is rather perilous. The clash between the British and German navies in the North Sea might spread to the coastal regions, and our destination is not far from there."
In the three years since the war began, the German Navy and British Navy