The queen overruled a government decision in WWII
Another interesting document I studied concerned the discussion to move the seat of the Dutch Government after the occupation of the Netherlands by Germany to the Dutch Colony East Indies, the present Indonesia.
On May 10, 1940 Nazi Germany invaded the neutral Netherlands. Although the Dutch army tried to defend its country, it could not cope with the strength of the Germans. After the devastating bombardment of Rotterdam the Dutch surrendered and Hitler occupied the country. Queen Wilhelmina and most of the members of her government fled to London. Also the Navy with their ships escaped to British harbours and some remnants of the army succeeded to reach Britain too. The Dutch considered themselves as the main ally of the British because their colonies were an important producer of vital raw material and most of their gold reserves had been deposited in London. They formed a government-in-exile and rent offices in Stratton House in Piccadilly. Since this government was not controlled by the parliament, the Queen considered herself as the voice of the Dutch population.
Although Dutch strategic interests were tied together with the British, they did not involve them in the decision making process and treated them like other governments-in-exile.
On May 10, 1940 Nazi Germany invaded the neutral Netherlands. Although the Dutch army tried to defend its country, it could not cope with the strength of the Germans. After the devastating bombardment of Rotterdam the Dutch surrendered and Hitler occupied the country. Queen Wilhelmina and most of the members of her government fled to London. Also the Navy with their ships escaped to British harbours and some remnants of the army succeeded to reach Britain too. The Dutch considered themselves as the main ally of the British because their colonies were an important producer of vital raw material and most of their gold reserves had been deposited in London. They formed a government-in-exile and rent offices in Stratton House in Piccadilly. Since this government was not controlled by the parliament, the Queen considered herself as the voice of the Dutch population.
Although Dutch strategic interests were tied together with the British, they did not involve them in the decision making process and treated them like other governments-in-exile.
The argumentation of the Dutch Governor General of the East Indies
At the beginning of 1940 the Governor General of the East Indies (today Indonesia) advised the Dutch government to move to the East Indies because he was very concerned of the Japanese demand to deliver raw materials like oil and rubber to them.
He considered two strategies: to stay in London (S1) or to move the government to the East Indies (S2). For each strategy he considered one outcome, splitting it in three aspects: a1: prestige of the government, a2: dependence on the British and ai3: solution of problems in the East Indies.
If they would stay in London (S1), certainly the prestige of the government would diminish, they would completely depend on the British and the relation with the East Indies would not improve so that they could not resolve the problem with Japan with respect to the raw materials. One sees that all aspects are evaluated negatively.
If they would move the government to the East Indies (S2), it certainly would increase the prestige of the government because it was on its own territory, they would less depend on the British and the relation with their colony would be improved so that they could resolve the problem with Japan for contracts of raw material.
Based on his argumentation he advised to move to the East Indies (S2).
Meanwhile France had surrendered to Germany (June 22) and the British prepared themselves for a German attack on their territory.
Under these threatening circumstances a Council of Ministers was held on June 26 about the transference of the government to the East Indies.
The Argumentation of the Prime Minister
The Prime Minister examined three strategies: To stay in London (S1), ), to send some ministers to the East Indies (S2), to move to the East Indies with the entire cabinet (S3).
For two strategies he split the outcomes in aspects: a1: the relation with France, a2: the relation with the British and ai3: the relation with Japan
If they would stay in London (S1), the chance was very high that their relation with the neutral Vichy regime of France would be harmed. Also their influence on the British would not increase and Japan could occupy the East Indies in the long run.
If they would send some ministers to the East Indies (S2), it was impossible to make cabinet decisions since they were split.
But if they moved the entire government to the East Indies (S3), the chance was high that Dutch relations with France would not be harmed, that they would be recognized like a sovereign government by the British and they could resolve the problems with Japan. Therefore the Prime Minister concluded that S3 was the best strategy.
The Prime Minister examined three strategies: To stay in London (S1), ), to send some ministers to the East Indies (S2), to move to the East Indies with the entire cabinet (S3).
For two strategies he split the outcomes in aspects: a1: the relation with France, a2: the relation with the British and ai3: the relation with Japan
If they would stay in London (S1), the chance was very high that their relation with the neutral Vichy regime of France would be harmed. Also their influence on the British would not increase and Japan could occupy the East Indies in the long run.
If they would send some ministers to the East Indies (S2), it was impossible to make cabinet decisions since they were split.
But if they moved the entire government to the East Indies (S3), the chance was high that Dutch relations with France would not be harmed, that they would be recognized like a sovereign government by the British and they could resolve the problems with Japan. Therefore the Prime Minister concluded that S3 was the best strategy.
The Queen overruled the decision of the Government
Since all ministers agreed to go to the East Indies, the Prime Minister informed the Queen about this decision.
In general Queen Wilhelmina did not respect very much her ministers, especially not the Prime Minister. At this occasion, people say, because she was using a drug as painkiller (today called "crystal meth"), she was extremely angry. She immediately rejected the proposal, mentioning that she could not bear the hot climate of the East Indies. She suggested that the Prime Minister together with some other ministers were welcome to go to the East Indies.
It seems that the cabinet did not dare to act against the wishes of the Queen and all ministers stayed in London.
Again the decision making differs from the mathematical model: Arguments are incomplete, values are not rank-ordered in both argumentations. However the Prime Minister rank-ordered the probabilities. Then they drew a conclusion without mentioning the choice rule.
For queen Wilhelmina the argument that she could not bear the heat in the East Indies was already sufficient. For the ministers her opinion was already enough to forget their previously mentioned arguments for the move of the government to the East Indies.
Since all ministers agreed to go to the East Indies, the Prime Minister informed the Queen about this decision.
In general Queen Wilhelmina did not respect very much her ministers, especially not the Prime Minister. At this occasion, people say, because she was using a drug as painkiller (today called "crystal meth"), she was extremely angry. She immediately rejected the proposal, mentioning that she could not bear the hot climate of the East Indies. She suggested that the Prime Minister together with some other ministers were welcome to go to the East Indies.
It seems that the cabinet did not dare to act against the wishes of the Queen and all ministers stayed in London.
Again the decision making differs from the mathematical model: Arguments are incomplete, values are not rank-ordered in both argumentations. However the Prime Minister rank-ordered the probabilities. Then they drew a conclusion without mentioning the choice rule.
For queen Wilhelmina the argument that she could not bear the heat in the East Indies was already sufficient. For the ministers her opinion was already enough to forget their previously mentioned arguments for the move of the government to the East Indies.
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