FO371-24687 — Page 279

Page 279

Minutes.

Page 279

Page 279

IN

THIS

MARGIN.

I did consider the "Graf Spee" internees

in Argentina, and the position there, I under-

stand, is that the soldiers are being transported

Eventually

into the interior, where they will be employed

by private persons and companies, and enabled to

earn wages. I do not think (although I am not

quite sure) that it is proposed that the Argen-

tine Government should themselves employ the

German sailors, but the Argentine Government

will naturally benefit to the extent that they

will be relieved of the expenses necessary to

maintain these sailors while they are being

employed by private persons. American Depart-

ment will, however, know what the exact position

is.

With regard to the general position in

international law, it is quite clear to me that

the Japanese cannot possibly complain if we

employ these Chinese soldiers in Malaya or

anywhere else, provided we adhere to the

provisions of Hague Convention V Articles 11

and 12. I do not think, moreover, that the

fact that provision is made in the Geneva

Convention for the employment of prisoners of

war by a captor, while there is no such provision

the

in/Hague Convention can in any way be relied

upon to show that a neutral is not entitled to

employ such prisoners. The provisions of the

Hague Convention are by no means exhaustive, and

provided the requirements of Articles 11 and 12

are met, I am of opinion that a neutral has a

.i

Mark consent

вклогия от полов

I see minute.

3

discretion...

NOTHING

TO

BE WRITTEN

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