False rumors selling part of the Moluccas to Russia according to the Dutch newspaper Soerabijasch handelsblad dated 21 October 1904

An item referred to the Nowoje Wremja which discussed the possible sale of one of the Lesser Sunda Islands or Moluccas by the Russian governement which the intention to found a coal bunker station.(1) The newspaper Het nieuws van den dag voor Nederlandsch-Indië dated 9 November referred to the Singapore Press which warned the Dutch government for the consequences. If she allowed Russia to found the station the Netherlands were no longer to be considered neutral. Japan would be allowed to attack and annex the station and even the Dutch East Indies.

Note

1. This would be a logical step for Russia to become able to bunker coal independently on the route towards her Far East naval base at Port Arthur. Further more was the Russo-Japanese war going on (8 February 1904-5 September 1905.