The most enthusiastic advocates of Surinam’s independence have been the Dutch. They are rapidly trying to unload the vestiges of its old colonial empire, an anachronistic embarrassment.

After four days of debate that often lasted until dawn, the parliament of the world’s newest, and 156th, sovereign state unanimously approved a constitution. The staid, protocol-conscious assembly in Surinam’s capital of Paramaribo erupted in cheers. Outside, a crowd waiting for the vote roared its approval and set off celebratory…

Queen Juliana reminded the world that the Dutch are still a colonial power in the Western Hemisphere—by graciously relinquishing part of that power by internal self-government.

Queen Juliana of The Netherlands last week reminded the world that the Dutch are still a colonial power in the Western Hemisphere—by graciously relinquishing part of that power. The Queen proclaimed a new Statute of the Kingdom, giving Surinam (Dutch Guiana) and The Netherlands Antilles complete internal self-government and…