The Dutch East Indies colony's army numbered roughly one hundred thousand, but only around thirty thousand were professional soldiers. Most of these troops had been recruited locally, with only the officers being Dutch. The forces were also scattered throughout the East Indies.
The Dutch Governor's Mansion in Batavia had no time at all to organize even limited resistance. Gathering troops from elsewhere and sending them to Batavia to coordinate its defense was clearly unworkable, and there was no need to even think about using the local Javanese for the Dutch.
To the locals, there was no difference between the Dutch and the Japanese. Neither affected them, and Japan might even be better than the Netherlands.
Inside the Governor's Mansion.
By now, the Dutch had completely dissolved into a pot of chaos. Governor Staveren was so anxious he paced in circles, cursing, "Those damned Japanese dwarf monkeys have no martial virtue!"
Governor Staveren genuinely believed that Japan had no martial virtue. If Japan had sent a declaration of war before fighting began, he would not have been placed in such a passive position.
At the very least, with a declaration of war, whether he chose to hold his ground or flee, he would have had some advance warning. Now, the entire rhythm had been thrown into disarray.
Hulst stood to one side, listening to Governor Staveren's impotent rage. Once Staveren had calmed down a little, he hurriedly tried to persuade him.
"Governor, there is absolutely no point in being angry with the Japanese now. What we need to consider is what to do next: remain in Batavia and continue resisting, withdraw as soon as possible to somewhere safe, or surrender to the Japanese..."
Those were no more than the three choices before the Dutch. As for staying in Batavia, Governor Staveren