East Africa and Japan were bound to fight eventually, but Crown Prince Friedrich also understood that East Africa could not offend Japan beyond all redemption at present. If war began ahead of time, East Africa's strategy would collapse across the board, only benefiting countries like Britain, France, and America.
That was why he had particularly emphasized that East Africa would not let its relations with Japan become too strained over the Netherlands this time, though in reality, relations between the two countries had never been good to begin with!
At that moment, an idea suddenly flashed through his mind, and he gave Foreign Minister Alfred a few more instructions.
Although Minister Alfred had not debated Schwaiger earlier, diplomatic work was ultimately his responsibility. Since East Africa was going to fulfill its promise to the Netherlands, it would inevitably have to confront Japan through the Foreign Ministry.
Thus, the matter ultimately still fell onto Minister Alfred's shoulders, except the Crown Prince had added another task for him.
After hearing Crown Prince Friedrich's instructions, Minister Alfred replied with a frown, "Your Highness, our Foreign Ministry can only do its best in this matter! Negotiations with Japan were already unlikely to go smoothly, and this additional demand will make our work even more difficult."
Crown Prince Friedrich said, "There is no loss in trying. If Japan is willing to do us this favor over the Netherlands issue, they should not care about such a small matter."
Since it had been put that way, Minister Alfred no longer declined.
June 1, 1939.
Port of Nanning.
After receiving East Africa's notification, Governor Staveren of the Dutch East Indies colony took a ferry to the East African military base at Port of Nanning, where he met with Brigadier General Traliening.
Brigadier General Traliening informed Governor