29 MARCH 1957, Page 7

A Spectator's Notebook

THE NEWS that has been sent from Cyprus during the last fortnight must, intentionally or not, have strengthened those members of the Cabinet who believe with General MacArthur that 'there is no substi- tute for victory,' as against those who, having learned some history, know that victory is no substitute for a settlement. But however the cracks in the Cabinet are papered over, there does seem to be a general misappre- hension about the campaign ,against the terrorists in the Troodos mountains. It is no doubt excellent that these should be smoked out of their caves, but this process will not make much difference to the violence of terrorism. It is an illusion to think that the terrorists emerge from their caves, speed down to Nicosia, throw a bomb or two, and then return. This would be rather like trying to carry on a terrorist campaign in Edinburgh when based on Ben Nevis or the Cairngorms. Once they have been driven into the mountains the terrorists are out of action, and the capture of every one of them would not lessen terrorism in the towns.