CO129-275 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1897 [1-5] — Page 511

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed

503

of an application under Pro Viceroy's seal, he agreed be with all speed arrested and detained, and be handed over for a joint investigation before the Consul and the Chinese Authorities.

If they decide that he is guilty, the Chinese Authorities shall deal with him; if he is not found guilty, he shall not be ill-treated in any way nor shall he be pressed to confess, but shall be sent back safe and sound to Tong-song. Further, as is the case at present, he shall not be tried for any other offence nor shall torture be applied to him during the investigation.

His Excellency's reason for asking for this change is that the Tong-hong Magistrate is often unfamiliar with Chinese people and their ways and habits of thought, whence it follows that because a part of the Chinese evidence is disproved he rejects the whole, and he is naturally led by the accused's lawyer to apply English rules of law and evidence to a purely Chinese case.

The Chinese Authorities also, unless they go to the expense of engaging a lawyer, are unable to present their side of the case in an English-legal manner. Finally, there is perhaps a natural inclination to resist the demand for extradition and to give the accused the utmost possible benefit of the doubt because the Criminal Law of the two countries are so widely different, while a Chinese, accustomed to his native procedure at trials, is tempted to exaggerate and prevaricate before a Hong Kong Court and before an alien judge who has no authority over him.

His Excellency adds that no application for extradition is ever made until he is satisfied by his subordinates that a prima facie case exists against the accused. And to him, it appears unfriendly for no weight whatever.

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503 of an application under Pro Viceroy's seal, he agreed be with all speed arrested and detained, and be handed over for a joint investigation before the Consul and the Chinese Authorities. If they decide that he is guilty, the Chinese Authorities shall deal with him; if he is not found guilty, he shall not be ill-treated in any way nor shall he be pressed to confess, but shall be sent back safe and sound to Tong-song. Further, as is the case at present, he shall not be tried for any other offence nor shall torture be applied to him during the investigation. His Excellency's reason for asking for this change is that the Tong-hong Magistrate is often unfamiliar with Chinese people and their ways and habits of thought, whence it follows that because a part of the Chinese evidence is disproved he rejects the whole, and he is naturally led by the accused's lawyer to apply English rules of law and evidence to a purely Chinese case. The Chinese Authorities also, unless they go to the expense of engaging a lawyer, are unable to present their side of the case in an English-legal manner. Finally, there is perhaps a natural inclination to resist the demand for extradition and to give the accused the utmost possible benefit of the doubt because the Criminal Law of the two countries are so widely different, while a Chinese, accustomed to his native procedure at trials, is tempted to exaggerate and prevaricate before a Hong Kong Court and before an alien judge who has no authority over him. His Excellency adds that no application for extradition is ever made until he is satisfied by his subordinates that a prima facie case exists against the accused. And to him, it appears unfriendly for no weight whatever.
Baseline (Original)
503 of an application under Pro Viceroy's seal, he acceed be with all speed arrested and detained, and be handed over for a joint investigation before the Consul and the Chinese Authorises. If they decide that he is quilty, the Chinese Southorities shall deal with him; if he is not found quilly, he shall not be ill-treated in any way he be nor shall : to confess, but shall be prewed sent back safe and sound to tongsong . Further, as is the case at present, he shall not be tied for any other offence nor shall fortere be applied to her of the investigation. His Rexcellency's reason for asking for this change is that the tong hong Magistrate is often unfamiliar people and their with Chnieve people ways and babits of thought, whence it follows that because a part of the Chinese wither evidence is disproved he rejects the whole, and he is naturally led by the accused's lawyer lawyer to apply, English rules of law and evidence to a purely Chinese case.: The Chnieve Authorities also, unless they 1. go of the to the expense of engaging a lawyer, : are unable to present their side English-legal case) i an Finally there is a perhaps natural in- clination to revent the demand for ex- -tradition and to se the accused the give utmost possible benefit of the doubt- because the Criminal Law eystone of the two coun few are so widely difform's while a Chinese, accustomed to his native procedure at trials, is tempted to esta ggerate and prevaricate Kong Court and before who has no auth. authority کے Hong an alion judge over him. His Excellency adds Pear no application for extradition is ever made until he is entisfied by his subordinates that a prima facie case exists against the accused. And to him it appears unfriendly for no weight whatever.
2026-05-28 18:40:10 · Baseline
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503

of an application under Pro Viceroy's seal, he acceed be with all speed arrested and detained, and be handed

over for a joint investigation before

the Consul and the Chinese Authorises.

If they decide that he is quilty, the

Chinese Southorities shall deal with him; if he is not found quilly, he shall not

be ill-treated in any way

he be

nor shall

: to confess, but shall be

prewed

sent back safe and sound to tongsong . Further, as is the case at present, he

shall not be tied for any

other offence

nor shall fortere be applied to her of the investigation.

His Rexcellency's reason for

asking for this change is that the tong hong Magistrate is often unfamiliar

people and their

with Chnieve people

ways and

babits of thought, whence it follows that because a • part of the Chinese wither evidence is disproved he rejects the whole, and he is naturally led by the accused's

lawyer

lawyer to

apply, English rules of law

and evidence to a

purely

Chinese case.:

The Chnieve Authorities also, unless they

1. go

of

the

to the expense of engaging a lawyer, : are unable to present their side

English-legal

case) i an

Finally there is a

perhaps

natural in-

clination to revent the demand for ex-

-tradition and to

se the accused the

give

utmost possible benefit of the doubt-

because the Criminal Law eystone of the

two coun few are so

widely difform's

while a Chinese, accustomed to his

native procedure at trials, is tempted

to esta

ggerate and prevaricate

Kong Court and before

who has no auth.

authority

کے

Hong

an alion judge

over him.

His Excellency adds Pear no application for extradition is ever made until he is entisfied by his subordinates that a prima facie case exists against the accused. And to him it appears unfriendly for no

weight whatever.

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