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men should continue to be accommodated
either in Hong Kong or elsewhere in
neutral territory for the duration of the
hostilities in China; although in the
absence of a formal declaration of war
between China and Japan the Hong Kong
Government may not be strictly under any
obligation to keep them interned.
3.
Mr. MacDonald would be obliged
if Lord Halifax would favour him with his
observations as to the manner in which
these men should be dealt with, and whether
he considers that it would be inadvisable,
both on grounds of policy and humanity, to
proceed as the Governor desires. In the
event of Lord Halifax sharing the view
expressed in the preceding paragraph,
Whether
Mr. MacDonald would be glad to learn it
is considered necessary that the men should
be detained under guard in an internment
camp at the expense, presumably, of the
Government of Hong Kong or whether it
would be permissible for them to be
treated