FO371-24687 — Page 289

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193

• arises

The qu... whether may

eful complor Macful

in Malayou Men''t could

d

be offered to

this interncil soldiers

ACAD

U

anthraghong in which then could be

true that The Hague Convention V says nothing

about employing interned soldiers, but it does

not seem to us that such a procedure would be

illegal according to international law, although

in all probability we should have to pay them

'the

something for the work which they might do.

Prima

Prima facie, the expenses caused by the

internment would fall upon the Chinese Government,

but it might be possible to make an arrangement

by which the wages earned by these soldiers would

adequately super vived, to would doubtless be

NOTHING

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BE

WRITTEN

IN THIS

MARGIN.

necessary to poo, wooged

them suitable and though

it

5. Finally; w'd probably Ibe vine cessary obtain Mi

Concurrera

Be Chin Comot

102-2

be partially used to pay for these expenses.

5. You may

of course, feel that the Governor

difficulties

of the Straits Settlements has enough with the

Hamlety

Chinese population of the Colony without adding

to them by removing these prisoners from Hong Kong

to Malaya. It does seem to us, however, that

it would be better if they could be put to some

useful employment, rather than remaining a source

of unprofitable expense and embarrassment to

the Government of Hong Kong. Perhaps you would

be good enough to let me know in due course

whether you think that anything could be made of

our suggestion.

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