This study was begun in 1937 with the help of a research grant from the Social Science Research Council and a semester's sabbatical from the University of Kentucky. It was interrupted by the pressure of events, governmental service during the war and the flood of students following it. A Fulbright lectureship at Leiden University during 1957-58 finally gave me the oppor­ tunity to bring it to completion. I am deeply indebted to the Social Science Research Council and wish to express my appreci­ ation for its aid. I wish also to express my gratitude to the Uni­ versity of Kentucky for the semester's sabbatical in 1937-38 and the year's sabbatical in 1957-58. Without this generous aid the study could not have been made. I wish to thank the personnel of the Royal Library, the Peace Palace Library and the library of the States-General, all at The Hague, and of Leiden University library for their never failing courtesy and unwearied assistance. I am also indebted to a number of persons in the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, chiefly in the archives division. That their help was not more extensive was not due to unwillingness on their part to be of service. To the University of California Press I am indebted for per­ mitting me to draw heavily on a chapter of my book, The Dutch East Indies, which was published by it but is now out of print.