At its meeting at 4 p.m. Tuesday 17th February, the Committee
learned for the first time that the Netherlands Command had issued
instructions to its local commanders that the period during which
the Republic forces could be evacuated from Netherlands controlled
territory was to end at midnight on that date and that any such
forces reporting thereafter for evacuation [were to be treated]
[1] provisionally as prisoners of war.

2. The Committee wrote immediately to Spoor urging that until the
Committee could consult its Military Advisers and obtain from the
Republicans an estimate of the date on which evacuations would be
completed no action should be taken which might interfere with
evacuations in progress.

3. The Netherlands Delegation have now replied that the
Netherlands Command is satisfied, according to reports from local
commanders, that evacuations can now be considered as terminated.

They regard this as solely their own responsibility.