African Entrepreneurship Record

After all, the Netherlands is the local landlord, and the various resources of the East Indies, such as spices and minerals, are much more conveniently transported to the homeland through the Sunda Strait than the Malacca Strait.

However, when East Africa rose, the situation changed further. With the development of East African industry and foreign trade, and the expansion of East African colonies in the South Sea Region, East Africa’s attention to the Sunda Strait increased steadily.

Frier continued: "Prime Minister, by looking at the map, you can see that the Sunda Strait is the most convenient sea trade passage for us between East Africa, the South Sea Region, the Far East, and even the Northern Pacific Region."

"Most of our eastern coastal cities, especially the southern ports, find passing through the Sunda Strait more convenient than the Malacca Strait."

"Currently, the reason why our ships opt for the Malacca Strait more is because it is more stable, with better infrastructure, clearer and more comprehensive hydrological conditions, more developed services, and historical inertia among other factors."

"Therefore, developing the Sunda Strait is a long and meticulous process. If our two countries unite and cooperate, the prosperity of the Sunda Strait route can be elevated by at least another level, benefiting both the Empire and the Netherlands."

Prime Minister Kaiboer indeed was quite tempted by the grand vision drawn by Frier, as the importance of controlling a world-class route speaks for itself.

If the Sunda Strait route were to develop, the biggest beneficiaries would clearly be the Netherlands, managing both sides of the Sunda Strait.

The development of the Sunda Strait was hindered in the past due to unfavorable geography, leading most ships to choose the Malacca Strait for transit.

However, after the rise of East Africa, the situation would change dramatically. The emergence of East Africa means the integration of a significant part of Africa, fully capable of sustaining the prosperity of the Sunda Strait.

The reason it was not feasible in the previous era was because countries in Africa were fragmented, and since the colonial era, they were always appendages to Europe, with closer economic ties to Europe.

East Africa, as an imperialistic nation, possesses the strength to determine its national policy and destiny, without relying on Europe to survive.

This makes East Africa fully capable and confident in conducting independent trade activities with the Far East, enhancing the importance of the Sunda Strait given East Africa’s economic focus on the Southern Hemisphere.

Therefore, Prime Minister Kaiboer did not doubt the authenticity of the blueprint drawn by Frier,

he said: "Sir Frier, so you’re saying your country intends to develop the Sunda Strait route to open a second route for trade with the East, thereby choosing us, the Netherlands, as a partner?"

Frier replied: "Naturally, as no one wants to take a detour that would cause time and cost wastage. The development of the Sunda Strait is a shortcut to save East Africa and Eastern trade routes."

"Our East Africa is vast and rich, with strong industry, possessing the world’s second-largest commercial fleet, and focusing on trade exchanges with Eastern countries, so our choice in East Africa can determine the fate of the Sunda Strait next."

"Your country choosing to cooperate with us can reap rewards, making the economy of your Dutch East Indies Colony more prosperous, otherwise it harms both nations; we would continue using the Malacca Strait, while your country misses the chance to develop the Sunda Strait."

Prime Minister Kaiboer certainly wouldn’t let this opportunity slip away from his grasp. He said: "If it’s economic cooperation, our Netherlands is naturally willing to support and cooperate with your country; just wondering what your country requires."

Frier said: "Firstly, as mentioned, this cooperation will undoubtedly benefit both our nations, so no third-party nation’s military is allowed in the Sunda Strait, this is the foremost condition. This means your country cannot lease ports or bases along the line for military use by third-party nations. Of course, should any trouble arise, you can seek our assistance; we in East Africa are very willing to help your country rid itself of some foreign influences."

Prime Minister Kaiboer nodded, saying: "That is naturally not a problem."

After all, the Netherlands also doesn’t wish for any more nations eyeing the Dutch East Indies. As for East Africa, it’s inevitable; East Africa is already involved, and the Sunda Strait route relies on East Africa’s support, so Kaiboer will naturally not oppose this requirement.

Frier continued: "Next is the construction and renovation of infrastructure along the line, which is a major project. In this regard, we in East Africa can provide assistance to your country."

Although the Netherlands is wealthy, its infrastructure capability is quite poor, primarily concerning the colony thousands of miles away from the Netherlands proper.

East Africa, on the other hand, not only has strong industrial capacity and a large population but has accumulated decades of rich infrastructure experience. Moreover, the Sunda Strait isn’t far from East Africa, which also facilitates the transport of construction materials such as cement, steel, electrical equipment, etc.

So, Frier said: "We in East Africa can produce any materials and equipment needed to construct the Sunda Strait route and have a large number of experienced workers and technicians to help the Netherlands build the Dutch East Indies Colony."

Prime Minister Kaiboer did not deny this, as despite the Netherlands being a world-renowned wealthy nation, its focus was primarily on maritime trade and commercial fields. With a limited population, completing the construction of the Dutch East Indies independently is indeed challenging.

Take the development situation of the Dutch East Indies in recent years; the Netherlands has been extracting far more than constructing locally. After all, even though the Netherlands wants to develop the area, it lacks the capability, and with the Dutch East Indies Colony being far from the mainland, the Dutch government isn’t keen on investing effort in the region.

For this, Frier made an independent suggestion to Prime Minister Kaiboer: "We in East Africa suggest the Netherlands separate both banks of the Sunda Strait from the Dutch East Indies to form a new administrative region, rather than as part of the Dutch East Indies Colony."

"This way, even if changes occur in the Dutch East Indies in the future, your country can immediately separate the two and mitigate losses in time."

To save administrative costs, many colonizers liked to integrate colonies, which is, of course, unreasonable, but it facilitates short-term profit-making for colonizers.

Frier said: "Your country can completely manage both banks of the Sunda Strait as domestic discoveries, or equally as administrative units on par with the Dutch East Indies. Currently, the population on both banks of the Sunda Strait is not large, which favors your operations."

"After all, the colonial environment today is increasingly deteriorating. According to our judgment in East Africa, resistance movements in the colonies will become more frequent in recent years. Moreover, with the support of foreign forces, the natives in colonial regions have weapons gaps increasingly narrowing with mainstream countries."

"Although your country can ensure the stability of the Dutch East Indies Colony, can you guarantee such an advantage will continue for three or four decades?"

"Not to mention, the United States is a prime example. The United States was once for the United Kingdom, practically on par with India as a colony, but eventually, the United States still became independent from the United Kingdom."

"And just considering the area alone, the Dutch East Indies exceeds one million square kilometers. Frankly speaking, its potential far exceeds that of your country’s homeland, and your integration of the Dutch East Indies further nurtures a large, cohesive subordinate class locally."

"This class intermarried and allied with colonial family officials in the Netherlands, increasing their discourse power. If such a class exists, they will undoubtedly not accept your country’s rule when an opportunity arises, detaching from the Netherlands’ colonial system."

Frier’s words sparked deep contemplation in Kaiboer, as Frier’s reasoning was indeed sound. The Dutch East Indies is immense, and whether the Netherlands can future control this vast colony across the Atlantic and Indian Oceans is in question.

And whether separating the Sunda Strait amid its development can benefit future control by the Dutch government over the Dutch East Indies is indeed something Prime Minister Kaiboer needs to consider.