Minister of Foreign Affairs Eelco N. van Kleffens visiting the United States, Wide World Photos, 1940 Canvas Print
Eelco Nicolaas van Kleffens (1894-1983) was the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs in London during the Second World War. In the photo he is on the left. The photo was taken during the visit he made on June 13, 1941 to Dr. N.A.C. Slotemaker de Bruine in the United States. Mr Slotemaker de Bruine was the director of the Netherlands Information Bureau in New York. In 1939, Van Kleffens became Minister of Foreign Affairs in the De Geer II cabinet. He continued the then Dutch policy of neutrality. On 10 May 1940, Van Kleffens received a statement for the German attack on the Netherlands from the German envoy Graf Zech von Burkensroda. This had put an end to neutrality. In order to seek support from the Allies, Van Kleffens left for London that same morning with Minister Charles Welter of colonies. The rest of the cabinet would follow later. During the period of the Dutch government in London, Van Kleffens continued to fulfill his ministerial post. During the Cabinet-Gerbrandy II, a second minister of foreign affairs was appointed alongside Van Kleffens. With his diplomatic qualities, Van Kleffens was often able to mediate in conflicts between Queen Wilhelmina and Prime Minister Gerbrandy. In 1943 he came up with ideas for the creation of a European state. In a radio speech on 28 December 1943, he called for the creation of an Atlantic alliance, later NATO. He has also been at the cradle of the Benelux. This photo comes from the legacy of artist Cor Visser.
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