The Italian navy and army came to the Borneo colony with great momentum. How could the Dutch, their neighbors, not know their intentions?
Kitsinha glanced at the slightly depressed city outside the window and sighed. Jakarta's booming development hit the brakes with the arrival of the Italians. In fact, it was not only the Dutch who were affected, but also Spain, Britain and France.
It had more or less influence on the local colonies, but compared to other countries, the Dutch suffered a greater impact.
Compared with other countries, the Dutch are weaker, so they rely more on Chinese groups to help them search for colonial interests. After all, compared with local people, the Chinese are also outsiders and are easier to manage and control.
Of course, while the Chinese helped the colonists search, they would also gain some benefits themselves.
As a large number of Chinese went to Italian Borneo, they brought a large amount of funds to Italy and helped Italy develop local resources.
As for Kitsiniya, who is the governor of Jakarta, he actually doesn't have much to do about it. It is too difficult for him to change the status of the Chinese because the policies implemented so far have multiplied too many relevant stakeholders.
It also affects a large number of powerful people in Amsterdam.
However, now is not the time to consider this aspect. The increase in Italian troops is obviously coming from a bad person. As the governor, Kysinia naturally needs to deal with it seriously.
"Everyone, Italy's reinforcements this time are coming from a bad person. I wonder if you have any countermeasures."
Facing the questions from Governor Kitsinia, all the senior colonial officials in the office looked at me and I looked at you. The room was very quiet for a while.
He didn't say anything when he saw it, and Kysiniya was furious. If these people hadn't been following each other, he would have dismissed them all based on their behavior. Who are they? They usually make money more ruthlessly than the others.
, I can’t even let out a fart if something happens.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but slam the table. "Say it!"
Facing the angry governor, no one spoke now.
But even if they didn't speak, they couldn't stop the Governor from calling his name.
"Your Excellency Creevey, as a senior official of the colonial government, what do you have to say?"
Crevi, who was named by Kyssinia, was a very important figure in the colonial government. He was very important in terms of power and tonnage.
Faced with the Governor's roll call, the heavyweight Creevey had no choice but to back down and could only bite the bullet and answer. "Since the Italians have bad intentions, we need to ask for help from home..."
Crevi's words made Kyssinia look unhappy. Isn't this nonsense? He didn't know how to ask for help. He needed someone else to teach him. When the Italian fleet was still halfway on the way, he sent a telegram to the country asking for help.
Looking at the governor who looked like he wanted to eat people, Creevey could only change the subject. "In addition, we should also seek help from our surrounding countries. The United Kingdom, France, and Spain must not be willing to see Italy expand its power in Southeast Asia. We can also seek help from
We will find ways to do this. Of course Amsterdam will do the same, but water from afar cannot quench our thirst, so we can start from Southeast Asia."
This time Creevey's suggestion finally made Kyssinia look much better.
"Then I'll leave this matter to you. I need to see the results within a month."
But it was obvious that Kysinia had no intention of letting him go, since it had given him a difficult task.
Even though it was only a month, it was still difficult for Creevey. However, it was obviously unwise to disobey the governor's order at this time, so Creevey agreed with an ugly face.
Then Kisiniya called the names of other people in turn. These people arranged their own tasks. Some were mobilizing manpower, some were collecting supplies, and some were responsible for purchasing supplies. Although these tasks seemed normal, the quantities were extremely large.
Huge. Anyway, no one’s task was easy, and no one was clever, but they were all defeated in front of His Excellency the Governor.
There is a reason why they fear the majesty of the governor at this time, because although they are preparing various preparations, everyone knows that the Netherlands is destined to suffer a loss this time, it is just a matter of how much it suffers. There is no way, this is due to size and national strength
It is a well-known fact that Italy is stronger than the Netherlands.
After the Dutch suffer a loss, someone must take the responsibility. It is impossible for the adults in Amsterdam to play the role of the scapegoat, so only the Governor of Jakarta is qualified.
It is obvious that the future of the Governor of Kythenia is cut off, and he may even become a prisoner in the future. He is definitely the most terrifying at present, because he is fearless, and no one would think of running into the muzzle of a gun and becoming the target of power. And Amsterdam will definitely satisfy the base.
Xiniya's request will definitely be done according to his wishes, which can be regarded as compensation before he retires.
After Kysiniya handed over the others, only the military was left. Although Kyssinia had absolute power at this time, he also knew that the army must not be moved at this time.
After driving everyone else out to perform their respective tasks, Kyssinia spoke to the two colonial generals. "Lieutenant General Javier, Lieutenant General Appia, I need your full support next."
When facing the governor, the two generals naturally gave assurances one after another.
Of course, as the governor, Kysinia is not that easy to fool, so he said, "Lieutenant Admiral Javier, how is your fleet currently prepared?"
Yes, Vice Admiral Havel is the commander of the Dutch East India Fleet and currently controls the fleet in Southeast Asia.
Faced with the Governor's question, Lieutenant General Javier immediately said, "Your Excellency, Governor, please rest assured that the fleet will ensure the safety of Jakarta and will not let it be threatened by the Italians."
That's right, Vice Admiral Havel can only guarantee the safety of Jakarta at the moment. After all, the fleet he currently controls is only that strong. Although there are ironclads like the Netherlands and the Seven Provinces, in the face of Italy's absolute strength, he can only guarantee the safety of Jakarta.
of safety.
Of course, there is another reason, that is, after Jakarta was threatened by Italy last time, the Dutch learned the lesson and equipped Jakarta with four new 280mm Krupp coastal defense guns.
Although the 280mm is not as good as the 305mm main gun of the Italian Turin class, the coastal defense gun is much stronger than the naval gun. If nothing else, the defensive power is simply not the same level. After all, the tonnage of the fort is not like that of a warship.
This is why warships rarely directly attack forts.
When faced with Lieutenant General Javier's fear, Kycinia said nothing. Because he also knew that the strength of his own fleet was completely insufficient to face the Italian fleet head-on.
In terms of speed, firepower, and defense, the Dutch fleet simply cannot compete with the Italian fleet. Except for a few new-built warships, the Dutch fleet is all old-fashioned warships that have been in service for at least ten years.
So after Lieutenant General Havel finished speaking, Kisiniya continued to ask.
"Lieutenant General Appia, how are the army's preparations currently going?"
When the navy was clearly unable to compete with the Italian fleet, Chisinia obviously placed its hope of resisting Italy on the army.
Faced with the Governor's expectant gaze, Lieutenant General Appiah, the army commander, reported directly. "Currently, the total army strength we have is 53,000, but 44,000 of them are colonial troops, and only less than one
The strength of three regiments of ten thousand people is a force formed entirely by our own people."
The colonial army that Lieutenant General Appia mentioned was an army composed of Dutch officers and local natives as soldiers. Although such an army was good at suppressing mobs, it faced the Italian Guards who were fully armed and experienced in combat.
It's just not enough to watch.
Not to mention anything else, the colonial army of more than 40,000 people can be defeated by the Guards Division alone. In addition to the suppression of equipment, the training of the colonial army is simply not enough.
Of course, if you add the three regiments composed of the Dutch themselves, in terms of army strength, at least the Dutch can still make a difference.
It is precisely based on this that Kythenia puts its hope in the army. Even if the Spice Islands need more navy, there is no other way.
Therefore, under the expectation of Kissinia, Lieutenant General Appia continued. "Currently, Italy is more interested in the territory of Borneo, so I put a colonial division and an infantry regiment in Borneo, with a total of 10,000 people."
5,000 troops. Although it cannot guarantee to stop the Italians, it can at least delay their steps and buy us time. In addition, I have placed 8,000 troops on Sumatra Island, and the others are placed in Java and the capital."
Yes, even if the situation is so dangerous, the Dutch still focus on Java. As the core of Dutch rule, Java is really important. It has the most fertile land in the entire archipelago and the largest population.
So even though Italy is eyeing Borneo, the focus of Dutch defense is still Java.
Just as Chisinia was discussing with the military a plan to deal with Italy, a staff member suddenly broke in. Without waiting for his reprimand, he shouted, "Your Excellency, the Italians have sent a complete message.
Demanding that its troops be allowed to enter our territory in Borneo."
