The Rise Of Australasia

Chapter 839 - 628: Selection System for Sultan Country

On October 1st, 1925, a piece of news instantly plunged the entire Kingdom of the Netherlands into chaos.

According to the report, Batavia, the capital of the Dutch East Indies, had officially been conquered by indigenous rebels, and Governor Dirk had been captured, with over twenty thousand Dutch Soldiers facing the danger of encirclement.@@@@

The disaster was attributed to Dirk’s poor command and Muhammad’s betrayal.

The Dutch media that reported this news called Dirk a waste and Muhammad a traitor to the Netherlands, stating that all mixed-race individuals were like Muhammad and should not be trusted.

Once reported, the news caused a huge stir within the Netherlands. The importance of the Dutch East Indies to the Netherlands was unquestionable, and Muhammad’s betrayal and Governor Dirk’s captivity also meant that the situation in the Dutch East Indies was irretrievable.

After confirming that public opinion had turned to anger towards Muhammad and Dirk, the Dutch Prime Minister was quite satisfied with his maneuver, and in his subsequent public appearances, he sorrowfully announced that he was considering abandoning the Dutch East Indies in exchange for the safe return of tens of thousands of Dutch troops from the Dutch East Indies.

Indeed, the old ginger was spicier. Actions like those of the Dutch Prime Minister quickly extricated him from the crisis, shifting all the blame for the loss of the Dutch East Indies onto Governor Dirk and Muhammad and, in turn, making himself seem like the merciful Prime Minister forced to make a sacrificial decision for the people.

Sure enough, following the stance of the Dutch Prime Minister, the Dutch lashed out their anger at Muhammad and Dirk, and people even harassed Governor Dirk back in his native land, throwing debris, bricks, stones, and so on at his residence.

No matter what the current situation of Governor Dirk was, in the Netherlands then, Muhammad and Governor Dirk had become two major culprits.

Understanding the need to quickly resolve the crisis, the Dutch Prime Minister immediately declared that the Dutch East Indies would be completely sold to Australasia in exchange for as much as 35 million Australian Dollars in funds and a promise by Australasia to rescue Dutch soldiers and officials.

On the very day the treaty was reached, Australasia grandly announced it would dispatch troops to the Dutch East Indies, taking control of the Dutch East Indies while also doing everything possible to rescue Dutch officials and soldiers.

To demonstrate his concern for the safety of the Dutch soldiers, Arthur specifically ordered all naval, land, and air forces to mobilize and end the war as quickly as possible.

Indigenous groups, including Muhammad, who had already made contact with Australasia, prudently shrank back to their own territories, preparing for subsequent negotiations with Australasia.

Those Indigenous forces that had not made contact with Australasia naturally suffered a catastrophic fate, as the firepower and combat strength of the Australasia Army were beyond doubt, and with the coordinated action of the naval, land, and air forces, the impact on the indigenous people was like crushing dry weeds and smashing rotten wood.

On the afternoon of October 2nd, 1925, the Australasia Army officially arrived in the Dutch East Indies. Merely on the second day, Australasia took Batavia with overwhelming firepower, rescuing both the Dutch East India Colonial Government and Governor Dirk.

Of course, the main reason for conquering Batavia so quickly was that all the Indigenous armies had withdrawn from Batavia, leaving only a small contingent of troops to stand guard and look after the captive Colonial Government.

The conflict on Java Island lasted less than a week, and the Australasia Army soon landed on Sumatra and Kalimantan Islands.

If they truly angered the Australasians, facing such a powerful nearby nation, even with a large population, it would be absolutely impossible for the natives to revolt.

Not to mention, if Australasia could equip itself with enough heavy weapons and muster an army of around 100,000, it could ensure complete stability in the Dutch East Indies.

In the current overwhelming disparity in weapons and equipment, even if all the natives united, they could not avoid a brutal outcome of slaughter.

"Let’s have Foreign Secretary Daize personally speak to you about this matter," Commander Martin nodded, and a soldier summoned Foreign Secretary Daize from outside the meeting room.

Hearing that the person was a cabinet member of Australasia, many of the indigenous chiefs and tribal leaders could not help but swallow hard, becoming slightly nervous.

"Gentlemen, please allow me to introduce myself briefly," Minister Daize said with a smile, "I am the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Australasia, and also the person fully authorized by His Majesty to handle native affairs.

Initially, Australasia intended to establish a new Australasian East Indies Colony, but His Majesty, moved by the hardships of the natives, specifically decided to give you a chance to establish a new nation.

However, not all of the Dutch East Indies can be given to you. We allow you to independently establish a nation on any island of your choosing. As long as you do not conflict with Australasia, we can assure your independence."

"Minister Daize, what will be the system of this new nation? And how will so many native tribes and powers be allocated?" Muhammad bravely stood up, his voice betraying a slight nervousness as he inquired.

Although he was a renowned general in the Dutch East Indies, in the presence of Australasia, even the Dutch Prime Minister was insignificant, not to mention him, a general who only commanded a brigade.

"I have discussed this matter with His Majesty. You can establish a united indigenous nation," Minister Daize politely replied, "Considering the complex relations between various indigenous forces and different ethnic issues, the political system of this indigenous nation will be somewhat special; you may name it an Elective Sultanate."

"An Elective Sultanate?" The faces of the indigenous chiefs and Muhammad displayed confusion, and they couldn’t help but ask aloud.

"Of course!" Minister Daize continued smilingly, "This nation is destined to be a merger of several smaller sultanates, and you each can keep recognizing your own sultans within your own territories.

However, the nation also needs a unified leader, referred to as the Great Sultan.

To demonstrate fairness and justice, this Great Sultan is to be elected by all the small nations that constitute the country. My suggestion is a lifelong term to facilitate a unified policy direction for the nation.

To aid in the election, each small Sultanate that constitutes the Great Sultanate can nominate one candidate. Along with the sultans and rulers of the minor Sultanates, they will form the parliament of the Great Sultanate, responsible for the election of the Great Sultan and for overseeing the government.

As for the election of the government of the Great Sultanate, it is my suggestion that it be appointed by the Great Sultan himself, to facilitate the management and operation of the government." Watching the varied expressions of the others in the meeting room, Minister Daize continued to speak with utmost civility.