The Future of Cyprus Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister has announced in
the House of Commons that the constitution of Cyprus is to be suspended and responsibility for legislation left in the hands of the Governor. That course may be allowed to pass as an immediate measure, but it provides no basis for a satisfactory settlement, or indeed a settlement of any kind, for the Cyprus trouble. In spite of attempts to dispose of the discontent on the usual ground that it is merely the work of a handful of agitators, the fact remains that four-fifths of the population thoroughly dislikes British rule and desires to be transferred to Greek rule—which would, no doubt, be less efficient but more congenial. Great Britain established herself in Cyprus in 1878 by methods anything but creditable, judged by modern -standards, and it is difficult to see what value the island has for us to-day. That question ought at any rate to be examined by a Royal Commission or some equally competent body, with complete freedom to make any recommendations it may see fit regarding the future of Cyprus. Why not a mandate, as in the case of other ex-Turkish territory?
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