Afterwards, Dutch policy was aimed at gradually disassociating West Papua from the Sultanate and at bringing the region under their direct control. The first step was taken in 1905 by granting the Sulatn 6000 guilders per annum in exchange for his rights to the southern part of West Papua. The second step was directed towards the remaining part - the north-west of Papua. But in this, the Dutch government met with strong resistance even from among the Dutch themselves. Dr. Hovenkamp, a former commissioner for the residency of Ternate, said: "It is a pure misconception to presume the absence of practical ties between Tidore and the northern and north-western Papua. There have always been close ties, but they have been weakened by our Government, who should have strengthened them for the benefit of the people".(*)
In the international context as well, West Papua had long been acknowledged as an integral part of Indonesia. During the war between England and Napoleon's France, the Indonesian islands fell into the hands of the British. At the conclusion of the war, the colonies were returned to the Dutch according to the London Agreement (1814-1824). In the sixth article of that Agreement, special mention was made of the eastern islands, including West Papua. Thus, 141 degrees east longitude was accepted without question in history and in international agreements as the eastern boundary of Indonesia. Another confirmation is to be found in the English Parliamentary Letters of July 1886, the "Correspondence respecting New Guinea" which gave detailed particulars regarding the boundary of the Netherlands New Guinea.
(*)The outbreak of the Second World War brought an end to the dispute. In July 1949, the Dutch made use of an agreement signed in 1909 between some Sultanates in East Indonesia and the Netherlands - Indies Government, in which the Dutch had managed to obtain the right of bringing under their direct control any of the self-governing territories at any time.
continue to part 4.
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