At two o'clock in the afternoon, East Africa's steamer officially docked at the port of The Hague. Personnel from the East African Embassy in The Hague had arrived at the docks in advance to welcome Baron Freer.
"Your Excellency, welcome to The Hague. May I ask what work you need us to do, now that you have come here in person?" the ambassador to the Netherlands said respectfully.
Freer was East Africa's Foreign Minister, the immediate superior of the East African diplomatic personnel stationed in the Netherlands. Naturally, they could not possibly fail to take his arrival seriously.
Freer said, "Antara, I have come this time on behalf of the Imperial Government to discuss certain sensitive issues with the Dutch government, matters concerning territory in the Nanyang region. First, let the Dutch government know something of this, then arrange a meeting between me and the Dutch prime minister."
Freer was in no hurry to negotiate with the Dutch government, because he believed East Africa had the Netherlands firmly in its grasp. Unless the European War suddenly ended and world order was restored—but that was plainly impossible. Thus, Freer had the patience to discuss territorial issues with the Dutch.
Two days later, at the Dutch prime minister's official residence.
Prime Minister Kaper looked grimly at the "unwelcome guest" before him and said helplessly, "Your Excellency Freer, you have reached your hand into the Netherlands again this time. Isn't that rather an ugly way to eat?"
The Netherlands had only just sold East Kalimantan to East Africa, and now East Africa was once more putting forward territorial demands. It would be strange indeed if Kaper were in a good mood.
Freer smiled warmly at Kaper. "Your Excellency Prime Minister, don't be in such a hurry. East Africa naturally bears no grudge against