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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 relier which the
dictates of humanity prescribe. There is nothing in
this Convention about the employment of interned
soldiers (as there is in the Geneva Convention 1929 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 fron
eaploying interned soldiers.
3. le 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 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 the suitable wages.
Prima/
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