An item referred to letters published in another Dutch newspaper Het Vaderland written by a Dutchman at Tokyo, Japan. He claimed that all efforts done by the Royal Netherlands Navy to strengthen the defence of the Dutch East Indies were insufficient and not of any importance if not was to decided to built battleships. The Dutch battleships were to be at least equal or even better stronger as the mightiest battleship of the world. The needed budget of 300 million was not worth to be discussed. There were at least two battleships needed, with a preference for a third one as reserve. Furthermore were naval bases to be founded and fitted out and more attention paid to the smaller warships. The editors of the newspaper Het Vaderland claimed that the efforts already done were not to be underestimated, but did not reject the ideas of the writer.(1)
Note
1. Finally there were 3 battle cruisers to be built, but due to the German invasion in the Netherlands in 1940 was the building never started.