CO129-238 - Governor Des Voeus - 1888 [7-8] — Page 480

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476

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Your Lordship's time by explaining at length my. reasons for

this view, I may mention (as throwing light on other opinions expressed in this despatch) that its principal ground is the unsatisfactory nature of the evidence

of all Chinese witnesses. Owing partly timidity, partly to want of appreciation of the value of accuracy in statement, and - partly to difficulties of

to

interpretation

interpretation, the evidence given by an eye-witness of the

even

circumstances which he

relates, and intending his relation to be truthful, is, I understand, rarely, if ever, without discrepancies which would preclude it from being the sole basis of a primâ -

froie

case; and yet it may

be recognisable

as almost-

certainly truthful

Facts by any

main

Common sense.

as to the

one

of

sense who appreciates

・the

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