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(F 1793/177/10)
OUT
FILE
POREIGN JPPICE, E.X.1.
1st April, 1940.
203
Dear Gent,
we have been giving further consideration to the
question of the Chinese soldiers detained at Hong Kong
which forded the subject of our official letter No.
F 1741/177/10, of the 16th March. As you will have
Been we do not feel that we can agree to the release
of the prisoners at present, but it has occurred to us
that it might perhaps be possible to relieve the
Government of Hong Kong of the embarrassment caused
to thea by the presence of these soldiers by allowing
any of those who wished to take employment in Malaya,
where I understand that there is a certain shortage
of labour, to be eaployed there under supervision.
2. The obligations of a neutral with regard
to the internment and care of belligerent soldiers
who have entered its territories are set out in The
Hague Convention V, Articles 11 and 12 of which I
attach copies. These obligations are, generally
C. E. J. Gent, Esq., D.S.0., .B.b.
Colonial Office.
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speaking,/
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