Chapter 20

Foreign Secretary John Russell authored a strongly worded British protest concerning the Netherlands' actions in New Caledonia. The communiqué asserted the illegitimacy of Dutch control, citing a fifty-year British presence on the island. The arbitrary detention of two hundred British citizens, the statement declared, was an outrage. This egregious violation demanded immediate redress: the unconditional release of the unjustly imprisoned Britons, compensation of £100 per individual for their suffering, and a published apology in the influential *European Times*. Only such a comprehensive rectification, the statement concluded, could appease British anger. Following publication of Russell's declaration in the Whig-supporting *Times*, Europe's awareness of Dutch expansionism in the Pacific sharpened dramatically. A stark record of Dutch military achievements in a mere two months laid bare the extent of their ambitions. Specifically, a five-thousand-strong expeditionary force, departing from Makassar on December 10th, 1861, swiftly subjugated East New Guinea within a month.

A subsequent operation, commencing December 15th, 1862, involved the formidable *Java*, a fourth-class battleship flagship, accompanied by five fifth-class cruisers and a complement of 1350 personnel, resulting in the swift occupation of both the Micronesian and Marshall Islands.On December 15th, 1862, a formidable Dutch East India naval squadron, spearheaded by the mighty *East India* – a first-rate warship boasting a crew of 1,000 and a displacement of 3,000 tons – set sail from Makassar. This imposing fleet, comprising three additional sailing battleships, two cruisers, and two smaller gunboats, mustered a force of nearly 3,500 men. Their ambitious mission: a swift, clandestine annexation of vast swathes of the Pacific. This powerful armada, a testament to understated Dutch naval might, aggressively seized New Britain, the Solomon Islands, the New Hebrides (including New Caledonia), and Fiji.

This audacious expansion mirrored the earlier, equally stealthy occupation of the Marshall Islands, creating a formidable territorial arc encompassing the Gilbert and Tuvalu Islands. The total landmass subjected to Dutch rule exceeded a staggering 870,000 square kilometers. Remarkably, this breathtaking territorial grab unfolded during a period of intense European scrutiny focused on the Netherlands' involvement in Belgian affairs. While the international community was distracted, the Dutch quietly and decisively expanded their colonial empire by an area almost equivalent to half their existing East Indies possessions. The nonchalant response from Great Britain, seemingly concerned only with the fate of approximately 200 British citizens residing in New Caledonia, was astonishing. A mere apology and financial recompense, coupled with relinquishing this single island, seemingly appeased British imperial anxieties.

The unchallenged acquisition of the remaining territories underscores a shocking shift in British assertiveness. The scale of the Dutch accomplishment is breathtaking. A nation with a mainland area under 50,000 square kilometers, and colonial holdings in the East Indies totaling roughly 1.9 million square kilometers, suddenly amassed an additional 870,000 square kilometers in a mere two months – a staggering expansion of their colonial power. This audacious act of territorial aggrandizement remains profoundly startling and speaks volumes about the complexities of 19th-century imperial power dynamics

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John Russell, a six-year Prime Minister of the British Empire (commencing 1846), offered what appeared to be a conciliatory gesture—a deceptive façade concealing treacherous undercurrents. His legacy, alongside Palmerston's, firmly establishes them as the two titans of Whig leadership during that era, their forty-year power struggle with the Tories a defining characteristic of British politics. This protracted contest for imperial dominance finds disturbing echoes in the actions of Putin and his associates—a disconcerting parallel. But William IV, unimpressed by Russell's flamboyant pronouncements in the press, scoffed. He found the attempt to leverage British public opinion contemptible. Such tactics held no sway over him. His dismissive response was a simple, arrogant, "Humph!" The Dutch Foreign Ministry's January 28th, 1862 press conference delivered a sharp rebuke to Russell's sanctimonious "advice."

Their statement categorically rejected the British accusations: "At the behest of the New Caledonia chieftain, we established a presence on the island, assisting its inhabitants to flourish. This is not colonization; it is a voluntary accession to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, a welcome addition to our expanding realm, and not an isolated incident. Every territory integrated into the Dutch nation will receive equitable governance—treated as an intrinsic part of our sovereign domain."Today's press conference marks a pivotal moment: the Netherlands has formally repudiated its unjust colonial legacy. We extend full citizenship to all newcomers, issuing a fervent invitation to skilled individuals worldwide. Relocate to the Netherlands; we offer comprehensive support to facilitate a seamless transition for all aspiring immigrants. Thank you.

The Netherlands' unexpected magnanimity stunned the international community. Even Britain, typically assertive, remained surprisingly reticent, foregoing its customary threats of naval bombardment of Amsterdam – a stunning departure from precedent. A decree, purportedly emanating from Queen Victoria herself, compelled Prime Minister Palmerston to issue an executive order mirroring this unprecedented restraint. However, simmering resentment brewed within the British military and aristocracy. The inexplicable shift in Dutch policy baffled and infuriated the British elite, sparking widespread discontent.

Their Dutch counterparts, seemingly transformed, now actively challenged British interests, intensifying this perplexing situation. Meanwhile, in Paris, a different dynamic unfolded. Napoleon III and Olivier engaged in a calmer assessment. Napoleon III remarked with evident relish, "The British fury and disillusionment are a spectacle of exquisite beauty!" He then posed a crucial question to Olivier: "Given the Netherlands' bold pact, will Prussia dare to defy it?"Doubt gnawed at Napoleon III. Initially, his strategic design had filled him with quiet satisfaction, its methodical progress a testament to its ingenuity. But the relentless march toward its culmination had exacted a heavy toll. He was weary, bone-deep fatigue masking itself behind a facade of steely anger during the incessant barrages from the press and congressional inquiries.

The acrimony of those sessions, the pointed, hostile questions, had left him profoundly frustrated and resentful. Yet, the imminent unveiling of his scheme ignited a spark of exhilaration. The coming triumph, he mused, would make these grueling days worthwhile, a small price to pay for such monumental gains. The multilateral agreement, now finalized, spurred a surge of triumphant anticipation. He envisioned the expressions of the British, particularly Queen Victoria and the cantankerous Palmerston, when confronted with the fait accompli—a picture of utter defeat. Olivier, though sharing his initial elation, displayed a more measured response. "This maneuver, relying on the Dutch, is shrewd," he observed calmly. "Only they possess the diplomatic finesse to coax Prussia's acquiescence." A sigh escaped Olivier's lips. "Prussia's suspicion of us is profound; the Dutch intervention is a masterful stroke." "Indeed," Napoleon agreed. "Their mastery of international diplomacy is unparalleled. They are, after all, the undisputed masters of the seas."Having synchronized their timepieces, both men acknowledged their position had solidified. Berlin, Prussia! William I's voice, laced with grudging respect, echoed the sentiment. "That young prodigy, William IV's scion, possesses remarkable skill. He's consistently outmaneuvered his opponents, leaving me to lament my own advancing years.

Undeniably, his youthful vigor and strategic foresight surpass those of his contemporaries." His gaze fell upon Bismarck, the Chancellor, his most trusted advisor, ever-present. However, this particular moment found the Chief of the General Staff, Moltke, entangled in the tedious deliberations of the German Confederation Parliament. Vienna, that frustrating city, was his current purgatory. The mere contemplation of the irksome meeting and its inconvenient locale etched lines of displeasure upon their faces. The year was 1850. A bitter rivalry for hegemony over the German Confederation raged between Prussia and the Austrian Emperor. While Austria had traditionally held sway, the revolutionary upheavals of 1848 had shattered its dominance. Seizing the opportunity, Frederick William IV's successor, his brother William I, chafing under the yoke of external influence, audaciously launched the Erfurt Union in 1850. This bold initiative challenged Austria's leadership, positioning Prussia as the dominant force in a unified German Confederation. The situation further deteriorated when a conflict erupted between the Elector of Hesse and his populace. Schwarzenberg, Austria's cunning Chancellor, exploited this to further isolate Prussia. Consequently, Austria, buttressed by its allies—most notably Bavaria, the Confederation's third most powerful kingdom—intervened decisively in Hesse.Near the precipice of war with its Austrian ally, Bavaria, Prussia found itself teetering on the brink in November 1850. October witnessed Tsar Nicholas I of Russia brokering a pact with Austria in Warsaw, subtly emboldening Austria against Prussia. King Frederick William IV, acutely aware of Prussia's precarious isolation and inherent vulnerability, was compelled to concede to Austria, thus averting a devastating conflict. This ignominious capitulation culminated in the signing of the Olmütz Convention, a national disgrace that reduced Prussia to a subservient Austrian satellite.

The treaty's stipulations were humiliating: Prussia relinquished its aspirations of German leadership and abandoned its unification ambitions, endorsing instead the Austrian-dominated German Confederation. Prussia's subjugation was complete; it became an Austrian vassal, participating in the Confederation's interventionist policies in Hesse and Holstein. The painstakingly constructed Erfurt Union, a symbol of Prussian strength, was dissolved – its wings cruelly clipped. Yet, this profound humiliation did not extinguish Prussia's inner resilience. The nation persevered, fostering significant internal innovations and maintaining its economic vigor thanks to the enduring Customs Union. The subsequent accession of William I, and the strategic appointments of von Roon, Moltke, and Bismarck, marked a pivotal turning point. Prussia's recent diplomatic triumph, securing an alliance with Hanover, the Confederation's fourth-largest kingdom, signaled a dramatic shift in the balance of power. Now, Prussia no longer trembled before Austria's might. However, maintaining a facade of deference, Prussia strategically withheld open confrontation, biding its time for a decisive reckoning.Patience held sway as the appointed hour approached; then, the meticulously crafted strategy unfolded. "In essence," the speaker declared, "we shall leverage the Netherlands as a springboard for Franco-Prussian rapprochement, thus fostering amity for years to come." "Your Majesty's wisdom is unerring," Bismarck responded, his gaze lingering on his teacup, a hint of smugness in his tone. "Let our southern neighbor achieve dominance first. Once our machinations are complete, *we* shall be the ones to plunder the Parisian treasures." "Indeed," the monarch chuckled, a glint in his eye. "And not just Paris. I've heard tales of the breathtaking collections at Versailles and the Louvre – though I'm quite willing to allow you the first selection of prizes." A genuine, heartfelt grin illuminated Bismarck's features. "My profound gratitude, Your Majesty," he replied, his voice thick with satisfaction.