FO371-24687 — Page 300

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(F 1793/177/10)

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POREIGN JPPICE, E.X.1.

1st April, 1940.

203

Dear Gent,

we have been giving further consideration to the

question of the Chinese soldiers detained at Hong Kong

which forded the subject of our official letter No.

F 1741/177/10, of the 16th March. As you will have

Been we do not feel that we can agree to the release

of the prisoners at present, but it has occurred to us

that it might perhaps be possible to relieve the

Government of Hong Kong of the embarrassment caused

to thea by the presence of these soldiers by allowing

any of those who wished to take employment in Malaya,

where I understand that there is a certain shortage

of labour, to be eaployed there under supervision.

2. The obligations of a neutral with regard

to the internment and care of belligerent soldiers

who have entered its territories are set out in The

Hague Convention V, Articles 11 and 12 of which I

attach copies. These obligations are, generally

C. E. J. Gent, Esq., D.S.0., .B.b.

Colonial Office.

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