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obligations are, generally speaking, first to
ensure that the prisoners shall not escape or
otherwise carry on activities which might compromise
the neutrality of the State concerned or assist
their own side in the war; secondly to furnish
them with food and clothing and relief which the
dictates of humanity prescribe. There is
nothing in this Convention about the employment
in the benson Comeration 1929
of interned soldiers (as there is in the case of
prisoners of war taken by a belligerent). On
the other hand there is no express provision in
international law which prevents a neutral
from employing interned soldiers.
3. We are inclined to think therefore, that
there is no objection on legal grounds to the
employment of these Chinese soldiers in Malaya
or elsewhere,
Provided
Provided that they are not allowed
to escape and that they are suitably maintained.
The question then arises whether any useful
employment in Malaya can be offered to these
interned soldiers, in which they could be
adequately supervised. It would doubtless be
necessary to pay them suitable wages.
Prima
facie/
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NOTHING
TO BE
WRITTEN
IN
THIS
MARGIN.