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

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Amsterdam also spread in Rotterdam, Enschede, Hengelo, Amelo, Velsen, Utrecht,
Arnhem, The Hague and Zutphen during July, although in all these places they were less
confrontational. 20
The deaths and violence during the potato riots made international headlines. 21 The
government came under severe criticism within parliament for mismanaging the
distribution of the potato harvest. More ilmnediately, the importance of a strong military
presence to maintain order had become obvious. More than 2,000 troops (two entire Field
Army battalions) were sent to Amsterdam during the riots. 22 If not holding off or trying to
disperse mobs, soldiers guarded shops, warehouses, ships, and important areas, such as the
vegetable market. 23 They also accompanied bakers on their delivery rounds, and protected
the coming and going of food transports,z4 Already in late 1915, the government asked
Snijders for troops to guard warehouses and bottling factories throughout the country. After
the July 1917 riots, such guard duties became more marked, especially in the major
centres. 25
Probably owing to a combination of factors, among which must be counted the
distress caused by the deaths in July and better food provisions through the summer, there
were few major disturbances until the winter of 1917/1918, when coal and potatoes were
again in very short supply. In the meantime, the authorities remained extremely fearfu1. 26
Municipal authorities of towns and cities alike requested that troops be stationed nearby.
20 Territorial Commander in Holland to Commander-in-Chief, 6 July 1917, in ARA, "Archieven van de Generale
Staf' entry no. 2.13.70, inventory no. 550; Parliamentary speech by Heer van Tempel, 6 July 1917, in Handelingen
der Staten-Generaal. Tweede Kamel' 1917, p. 26; Burger, Linkse jrontvol'lI7ing p. 88.
21 Sir Walter Townley to Arthur James Balfour, 6 July 1917, in FO 37112973 1917; Endt (ed.), Weetje nog weI p. 58.
22 Commander of the Fortified Position of Amsterdam, "Rapport omtrent de jongste in Amsterdam plaats gehad
hebbende ongeregeldheden" p. 8, in ARA, "Archieven van de Generale Staf' entry no. 2.13.70, inventory no. 549.
23 Commander of the Fortified Position of Amsterdam to Commander-in-Chief, 23 July 1917, in ARA, "Archieven
van de Generale Staf' entry no. 2.13.70, inventory no. 549.
24 Endt (ed.), Weet je nog weI p. 52.
25 State Commission for Supervision of the Associated Vegetable Central (Rijkscommissaris van toezicht op de
Vereeniging Groeten-Centrale) to Commander-in-Chief, 7 October 1916, in ARA, "Archieven van de Generale Staf'
entry 110.2.13.70, inventory no. 434; Commander-in-Chiefto Territorial Commanders in Friesland, Holland and
Overijssel, Commander of the Fortified Position of Amsterdam, Commander of the New Holland Waterline,
Inspector Konillklijke Marechaussee, Commander Division II, 3 October 1917, in ARA, "Archieven van de Generale
Staf' entry no. 2.13.70, inventory no. 549; Commander-in-Chiefto Commanders of Divisions II and III, Cavalry
Brigade, Commander of the New Holland Waterline, Inspector of the Koninklijke Marechaussee, Territorial
Commander in Overijssel, 3 September 1918, in ARA, "Archiefvan het Hoofdkwartier Veldleger" entry no. 2.13.16,
inventory no. 348; Commander-in-Chiefto Commanders of Division I, Fortified Position of Amsterdam, Division II,
and Cavalry Brigade, 1 October 1918; Commander-in-Chiefto military commanders, 2 October 1918, both in ARA,
"Archiefvan het Hoofdkwartier Veldleger" entry no. 2.13.16, inventory no. 352.
26 See: documentation in ARA, "Archieven van de Generale Staf' entry no. 2.13.70, inventory no. 667.