Few remarks quoted in the public prints are exact reproductions of what has actually been said. Reportorial practice is to set down the gist of a speaker's words, couched in phraseology approximately but not actually his own, except for any memorable "purple patches," i. e., neat or colorful or specially emphasized word combinations. But "purple patches" are indeed preserved and different accounts of a given statement or interview usually tally very closely. If they do not, a variation indicates either bad reporting or the pressure of policy.
A fortnight ago, General...
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