The risks of waiting for British and American fleets

Dutch and French arguments for limited local forces assumed that Britain and the United States would enter a Far Eastern war, allowing local forces to hold their positions until larger allied fleets arrived. That depended on the allies being free to deploy those forces. Other commitments or wider overstretch could prevent the expected relief. Britain's own planning relied on the French Navy to cover some gaps, so France's withdrawal from the war left Britain with additional tasks. An overwhelming Dutch fleet would have been unaffordable and unsuitable. The 1923 naval law probably would not have saved the Dutch position, but its additional forces would have left the Netherlands better prepared.