Abstract
The German invasion naturally caused the Dutch to do some serious thinking about their future foreign policy.1 The underground press devoted much space to the subject. The German attack and invasion convinced most Netherlanders that neutrality was “not only dead but also damned.” The change of attitude is indicated by a radio broadcast of Foreign Minister van Kleffens from London on November 25, 1942. He declared to his compatriots that old times were not coming back, that the old policy of no political agreements with any state or group of states could not be resumed. He justified that policy in the past “not really because it corresponded with ideals but because there was nothing better.” The League of Nations had failed; a new approach would have to be tried. “I would be surprised,” he declared, “if an organization based on regions, not neglecting however, the universal element of the indivisible peace, would not perhaps be more effective. Such an organization can only be achieved by the collaboration of like-minded states… If we can establish such an institution on a lasting basis, then, as far as I can see, Holland will have to participate. In that case our security would be better served by collaboration than by non-participation.”
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See Bouwstof vor de oplossing van na-oorlogse vraagstukken, F. M. baron van Asbeck, (ed.). This volume was written during the German occupation. See also P. J. Schmidt, Buitenlandse politiek van Nederland
Before the United Kingdom branch of the Empire Parliamentary Association on November 25, 1943.
Memorandum of the Netherlands Government containing the claims of the Nether lands to reparations from Germany.
White Book. Het Ontstaan der Verenigde Naties. San Francisco, 25 April-25 Juni 1945. Bijlage V, “Suggesties van de Nederlandse regering betreffende de Dumbarton Oaks’ voorstellen.”
To ensure the observance of such a standard the Dutch government suggested the appointment of “an independent body of eminent men from a suitable number of different countries, men known for their integrity and their experience in international affairs, who should be readily available to pronounce upon decisions of the Security Council whenever an appeal to that effect were addressed to them, either by the Council or by a party to the case in question.” Ibid., loc. cit
Ibid, Bijlage VI, “Nederlandse amendementen op de Dumbarton Oaks’ voor-steilen.”
Consideration of the Charter took place in the Second Chamber on October 30 and in the First Chamber on November 7, 1945. See Handelingen, 1945, pp. 123-144 and pp. 19-37.
The Netherlands was elected by the General Assembly to serve as a non-permanent member of the Security Council for the year 1947 and for a full two-year term, 1951-52; it has three times been chosen as a member of the Economic and Social Council.
See Chapter on “Indonesia” in Southeast Asia among the world powers by Amry Vandenbosch and Richard Butwell.
Indonesia maintains the position that the sovereignty over West New Guinea has legally resided with Indonesia since the transfer of sovereignty on December 27, 1949, and that only the transfer to Indonesia of the de facto administration over the territory can be the subject of negotiation.
New York Times, Int. Ed., November 21, 1957.
See W. H. van Heisdingen, Het statuut voor het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden
For a good analysis of Dutch postwar policy with respect to Germany see S. I. P. van Campen, The Quest for security: some aspects of Netherland-s foreign policy
See Memorandum of the Netherlands Government containing the claims of the Netherlands to reparations from Germany
Handelingen, Tweede Kamer, 1946-47, Aanhangsel No. 352.
Jaarboek van het Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken, 1949-50, p. 9.
Treaty went into effect August 24, 1949.
See “A Note on the Marshall Plan” in van Campen, op. cit, pp. 153-57.
See Chapter II, “Formulation and Control of Foreign Policy.”
Royal Institute of International Affairs, Survey of international affairs, 1935, II, p. 481.
April 3, 1952.
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© 1959 Martinus Nijhoff, The Hague, Netherlands
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Vandenbosch, A. (1959). Reorientation of Policy. In: Dutch Foreign Policy Since 1815. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-6809-0_18
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