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

- 397-
respect was maintained. In fact, during the riots in 1915, officers looked at the frequency of
saluting as a way of gauging morale, recognising that a refusal to salute was one of the
simplest forms of disobedience and most cOlmnon fonns of dienstweigering. 144
Illustration 15: The salute stays!
This newspaper cartoon with the caption "Je Maintiendrai", which appeared after the motion to abandon saluting
failed in February 1918, illustrates how absurd many Dutch found the practice.
(Source: ARA, "Papieren vanjhr 1m B. C. de longe" ently no. 2.21.095, inventory no. 49)
It is not entirely clear how conscripts' distaste for saluting turned into a public
debate, but throughout 1917, pamphlets, articles and newspapers devoted a considerable
amount of attention to the issue. Ranging from serious discussions by those for and against
the practice, to mirthful comments and quasi-farcical cartoons in a range of newspapers,
144 "Bevoegdheid der politie tot aanhouding van militairen wegens het plegen van een militair delict" [Power of the
police to atTest soldiers who commit military offence] Militair-Rechtelijk Tijdschrift. 14, 1918, p. 99.