CYPRUS.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPZOTATOE:]
Sin,—Allow me to correct some misapprehensions in your article on Cyprus of August 24th.
The quotations you make are not from a despatch of Sir Henry Bulwer, but from the report of the head of one of the six districts of the island, describing not what has actually hap- pened, but what in his opinion might occur before long, if some benevolent scheme, advocated for his district, were withheld.
Depopulation has not followed our occupation; on the con- trary, the population has increased.
Plagues of locusts ceased entirely in 1884.
Since 1879, only one bad season has occurred,—viz., 1887. Taxation since 1878 has been largely reduced, while the revenue has considerably augmented (Blue-Book, p. 94).
In considering accounts of Cyprus, even English ones, it must be remembered that it is almost every one's policy to describe• English role there as a failure. Remember Bishop Stubbs's remarks on Cyprus :—" It is sickening to see the policy of a statesman, still more to see the question of a fact debated,.
maintained or contradicted by advocates whose arguments are not based upon attempts to find out the truth, but are simply weapons of attack and defence,—this is to be believed because• it suits the party ; this is to be discredited because it would damage the party : this is true because Pericles has said it this is false, or why should Alcibiades or Cleon, or whoever it may be, have called heaven and earth to witness that it is true ?" (" Mediamal and Modern History," p. 56.) Any Cypriote who gave us credit for improving the country, would abandon the lever of simulated discontent wherewith he hopes to move Great Britain to bestow on the island more largesse in the way of relief from taxation and Home-rule.
Our nearest neighbours are, on one side, the Power which last administered the country; on the other side, the Power which hopes to administer it when we leave. It is to the interest of both that our acts should be misrepresented, and Cyprus. described as misruled.—I am, Sir, &c.,
Cyprus, September 10th. AN ENGLISHMAN.
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