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

- 241 -
violations of neutrality. On 8 September 1914, the cabinet took the application of the law
one step further by declaring all municipalities on major waterways and ports in a "state of
siege".47 After the declaration, the Navy could monitor goods leaving the country more
efficiently, upholding its neutrality responsibility that the Dutch must not supply military
materials to belligerents. 48 Similarly, the Navy also oversaw the sale of ships to waning
parties - another neutrality requirement. 49 The "state of siege" gave patrols in the Schelde
greater jurisdiction to restrict the movement of vessels into and out of the waterway, and in
mid-November, the Territorial Commander in Zeeland used his authority to forbid ships
sailing on the river between sunset and sunrise. 50
The decree of 8 September enabled naval personnel to help customs officers
supervise trade leaving and entering the country, and thereby combat smuggling. Despite
several export prohibitions on items that the Dutch needed or the armed forces required
(including horses, clothing and footwear),51 the Ministry of Trade proved highly ineffective
in preventing the exodus of goods. Instead, the government saw an 0ppOliunity to use
border guards and naval patrols for smuggling duties. On 25 September, they placed every
municipality in or near the Dutch-Gennan border in a "state of siege", with the sole aim of
helping customs officers do their job. 52 It set a precedent for future application of the War
Law for non-military matters.
Using "state of siege" jurisdiction to counter smuggling had, at this early stage in
the war, very little to do with either military security or neutrality. Despite the Allied
blockade of the Central Powers had begun, the Netherlands' Overseas Trust (NOT) had not
yet been established, nor had the Dutch any trade agreements in place with either Britain or
Gennany. Consequently, there were few external pressures on the Netherlands to monitor
and restrict smuggling in September 1914. In fact, Gennany, as the major benefactor from
illegal trade, was only too pleased for it to continue. Contrastingly to the situation in
47 Staatsblad. no. 448, 8 September 1914.
48 See: Appendix 5, p. 455.
49 Unsigned and undated document, marked "Zeer geheim" [Extremely confidential] 1914, in ARA, "Archieven van
de Generale Star' entry no. 2.13.70, inventory no. 1; Commander-in-Chiefto Territorial Commander in Holland, 5
September 1914, in ARA, "Archieven van de Generale Star' entry no. 2.13.70, inventory no. 34.
50 Territorial Commander in Zeeland, poster, 18 November 1914, in ARA, "Archieven van de Generale Star' entry
no. 2.13.70, inventory no. 97.
51 Staatsblad. no. 473, 6 October 1914.
52 Minister oflnternal Affairs to Commander-in-Chief, 5 October 1914, in ARA, "Archieven van de Generale Star'
entry no. 2.13.70, inventory no. 35.