Freer was fairly satisfied with Prime Minister Keppel's attitude, but he still reminded him, "Your Excellency, this sort of matter must be handled with a swift blade cutting through tangled hemp. After all, no one knows when the European War might end."
"I can also assure you that we harbor no ambitions toward the East Indies. After all, we have already obtained what we wanted."
Freer was naturally referring to the islands East Africa had demanded from the Netherlands. Though they were few in number, they could fully ensure the future strategic stability of East Africa in the Nanyang region.
At this point, the security of East Africa's colonies in the Nanyang region was basically guaranteed, and transportation between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean would no longer be at the mercy of others.
That very night, Freer sent the preliminary results of his negotiations with the Dutch government back home. He also authorized the embassy in the Netherlands to continue refining the subsequent details with the Dutch government.
December 7, 1916.
The "East Africa–Netherlands Treaty on Renewed Agreements in the Nanyang Region" was officially concluded.
Under the terms of the treaty, fourteen islands formerly controlled by the Netherlands, including Billiton Island and Sangiang Island, were sold by the Netherlands to East Africa.
At the same time, the Dutch government and East Africa would jointly develop the Sunda Strait shipping route, with the two nations reaching numerous agreements on cooperation over ports, infrastructure, and more along the route.
The two countries would work to maintain the unimpeded passage of the Sunda Strait, jointly crack down on piracy in the waters between the Sunda Strait and the South China Sea, and provide safer passage for vessels traveling through the area.
Finally, East Africa and the Dutch government mutually confirmed their