The Position of the Dutch Government in London up to 1942

Abstract

The Netherlands had been neutral until 10 May 1940. Their position was changed by the German invasion: the country was obliged to take part in the war and it was only natural that the government should seek allies. After the capitulation of France there was an attitude of hestitation and division, but after the resignation of De Geer, as Prime Minister, in September, foreign policy was attuned to British policy by his successor Gerbrandy and by Van Kleffens, the Minister for Foreign Affairs. This was a gradual process characterized by a spirit of cautious and careful business acumen. In the second place the Dutch government took full account of American feelings. From London, the Dutch government wanted to continue the struggle against Nazi Germany. Large parts of the kingdom were spared from war, notably the Dutch East Indies. The Dutch Colonies in the East and West constituted an important war potential and, moreover, their warships and the fairly large merchant navy as well as a number of large passenger ships had escaped the Germans. To this it should be added that the Dutch gold had been removed to a place of safety and that in accordance with a recently passed Act, large companies like Philips had been able to move their headquarters to foreign countries, particularly to CuraSao; On account of all this the Dutch government in London regarded itself in 1940 and 1941 as a rich ally, even as a middle-ranking power. They looked upon themselves as being distinct from other governments in exile in London either fully or partly such as the Belgian, the Czech, the Polish and Norwegian governments and, also, the bickering French committees. When, in the early spring of 1942, Japan conquered the Dutch East Indies, the Dutch position was weakened but the pretensions were not relinquished.