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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 relief 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 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 that they are not allowed to escape and that they are suitably maintained. question then arises whether any useful employment in Malaya can be offered to these interned soldiers, in
which they could be adequately supervised.
The
It would
doubtless be necessary to pay them suitable wages.
Prima/