FIGHTING IN HOLLAND

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 May 1940, Page 5

FIGHTING IN HOLLAND

IN SPITE OF ORDER TO LAY DOWN ARMS IMPORTANCE OF ZEELAND. BEARING ON THE DEFENCE OF BELGIUM. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, May 15. Fighting is reported to be taking place in Holland despite an order to the Dutch forces to lay down their arms. The German official news agency declares that the district of .Zeeland obviously is no longer under General Winkelman’s command. The London “Daily Telegraph’s” military expert emphasizes that Zeeland is important to the Allies because it includes territory at the mouth of the River Scheldt and so affects not only the approaches to Antwerp but also the general defences of Belgium. The Dutch Royal Family and Cabinet were stupified when they heard the order to cease fire. At first they thought the order was a fake. The “Daily Mail” this morning said: “It is just another ruse to confuse the defenders.” The Cabinet hastily met while then' Legation officials frantically made efforts to make contact with General Winkelman. It was several hours before they were finally convinced that the news was true.

General Winkelman in the proclamation instructed his troops to maintain order’ and appealed to the population to maintain a dignified attitude in the coming occupation. His final words were: “Do not forget that you are Netherlanders, and that when a large part of our country comes under German domination remember at all times the Netherlands will never lose their existence but will rise again as a free nation.”

The fact that the Dutch general had full authority to take the decision was made clear by a proclamation issued in London by Queen Wilhelmina. One passage read: "The military authorities and, in the last resort, the Comrhander-in-Chief, now have to decide what measures are necessary from the military point of view.” The proclamation was issued shortly after the Netherlands Prime Minister, Mr de Geer, and the other 11 members of his Cabinet reached London yesterday morning in a British warship.