Abstract
To supervise its international neutrality commitments during the First World War, the Dutch government invoked the emergency powers of the 1899 War Law, imposing a ‘state of war’ or ‘siege’ in 75% of the country’s municipalities, which subsequently witnessed extraordinary military interference in their daily affairs. Implementing the War Law proved confusing, controversial and complex. To impose uniformity, the government and judiciary repeatedly limited its application, ultimately altering the legislation’s ‘need breaks law’ justification. That the War Law was used for a protracted length of time illustrated that, even though neutral, the Netherlands remained a nation in fear of war.
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