Between the devil and the deep blue sea - University of Canterbury

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Amsterdam and Rotterdam stock exchanges on Wednesday until stability returned. 34 In
response to the crisis and in anticipation of large-scale closures, Amsterdam bankers formed
a guarantee-syndicate. 35 These were to be the first of a series of emergency measures taken
by government and financial leaders to protect the domestic war economy.
By Wednesday, newspapers were full of confusion, fear, rumours of war and
international tension. The Dutch were worried; their governmental representatives
discussed escalating military readiness. Snijders and Bosboom were in minor disagreement
over what should be done next. Snijders was adamant that they should call up all border and
coastguards for reconnaissance and as an early warning system in case of invasion. 36
Bosboom agreed in principle, although he did not see the need to mobilise all 105
detachments at once (around 10,000 troopS).37 Snijders eventually persuaded him that it was
impossible to mobilise the guards partially, as no military plans existed for that scenario. 38
Bosboom took Snijders' suggestion to the cabinet meeting on 30 July. At 4 pm that
Thursday, the govermnent, fearing all-out war, mobilised all border and coastguards. 39 The
Marechaussee were placed on full war alert as well and moved from their peacetime
locations to military positions. 40 By late evening, 44 landweer detachments had occupied
their predetermined military positions; by 5am the following morning, 78 detachments were
ready; and by the end of Friday, 92 per cent of the guards had turned Up.41 Their
mobilisation was fast because most lived in the areas where they served. 42 Other
precautionary measures were taken as well: the Inspector of Pilotage at Vlissingen was
asked to prepare for the removal of all beacons and buoys on the West Schelde, in case
34 Vissering et. aI., "The Effect of the War upon Banking and Industry" p. 5; Ritter, De Donkere Poort Volume 1, p.
23.
35 Koninklijke Bibliotheek, Documelltell voor de Ecollomische Crisis van Nederland ill Oorlogsgevaar. Uitgegevell
door de Afdeeling Docllmentatie del' Konillkli}ke Bibliotheek met Medewerkillg van het Nederlalldsch
Registratllurbllreall. [Documents for the economic crisis of the Netherlands in war danger. Published by the Section
Documentation of the Royal Library in co-operation with the Dutch Registration Bureau] The Hague: Koninklijke
Bibliotheek, 1914, p. 257.
36 Bosboom, In Moeili}ke Omstandigheden p. 5.
37 Uijterschout, Beknopt Overzicht p. 442.
38 Snijders, "Mobilisatie-Herinneringen 1914 - 1918 no. 16" in SMG/DC, "Mobilisatieverslag" 91A/3.
39 Staatblad. 30 July 1914, no. 331.
40 See: mobilisation questionnaires in ARA, "Archieven van de Generale Staf' entry no. 2.13.70, inventory no. 46.
41 Snijders, "De Nederlandsche landmacht 1898 - 1923" p. 218; Klinkert, Het Vaderland Verdedigd p. 396.
42 Staatscommissie, Waarnemingen bi) de Gemobiliseerde Landmacht p. 5.