首页 >出版文学> Cyprus, as I Saw it in 1879>第11章
  Thefactisthat,asusual,theEnglishgovernmenthasbeenhoodwinkedintheirhastybargain。Theislandcanpayitsway,and,iffreefromTurkey,wouldbecomemostprosperous;butwehaveinheritedanestatesoheavilymortgagedbyourfoolishConvention,thattherevenueisallabsorbedininterest,whichleavesnothingforthenecessitiesofdevelopment。Thecommissionersofdistrictsareover-workedandill-paid,theirallowanceofinterpretersisquiteinsufficienttosecurethenecessarycheck;andtheirpositionisincompatiblewiththeimportanceoftheirofficialstatus。Thereisnomoneyforanyimprovements,andtheboastedsurpluswilljustsufficeforthepaymentofsalariesandtheabsolutelynecessaryitemsofcarryingonagovernmentmoreinaccordancewiththepositionofGreeceorDenmarkthanwiththehistoricalreputationofGreatBritain。
  Thisfinancialembarrassmenthasdisappointedtheexpectationsoftheinhabitants,whonaturallyhadanticipatedbrilliantadvantagesfromthereformbetweenTurkishandEnglishadministrations。Myownopinionmaybevalueless,butitissharedbymany;CyprusshouldbelongabsolutelytoEngland,orweshouldhavenothingtodowithit。Irepeatthedictumexpressedintheintroduction;ifEnglandistheallyofTurkeyandshecandependupontheintegrityofthatdefensiveallianceagainstRussia,thereisnoneedforanystationthatincurstheobligationsofCyprus;
  alltheTurkishportswouldbeopentoourships。TheoccupationofCypruswouldthereforesuggestthatafar-seeinggovernmenthaddoubtedtheintegrityofTurkey,andhadthereforedeterminedtosecureapied-a-terreinastrategicalpositionthatwouldcommandtheeastoftheMediterranean。Uponthispointopinionswillagaindiffer,andI
  quotethewordsofoneofthemostexperiencedstatesmenandanex-ministeroftheUpperHouse,whowrites:——
  “TheobjectionstoCyprusasamilitaryandnavalstationareshortlythese。Itwillobligeustoestablishagarrison,andthereforetoincreaseanddivideourforcesintheMediterranean。Theremustbebarracks,hospitals,store-houses,&c。AfterallthisexpenditureCypruswillweakenratherthanstrengthenourpower。
  “Famagoustamaybemadeagoodharbour;buthowcanitbedefended?Theshipswillnotbe,asinMalta,defendedbybatteriesprojectingfarbeyondtheanchorage;Famagoustawillrequireshipsofwartodefendit,orbatteriesconstructedonthebreakwater——amostcostlyundertaking。
  Asacoaling-stationitisnotwanted,becausecolliersaccompanyingthefleetaremuchmoreconvenient。If,inshort,wearesupremeatsea,Cyprusisnotwanted;ifwearenotsupreme,Cypruswillbeanincumbrance。“
  Iacknowledgetheforceofaportionoftheargument,andnoonecanmorehighlyrespectthedistinguishedauthorityIhavequoted,who,asanex-FirstLordoftheAdmiraltyofpracticalexperience,mustcarrythegreatweightofhisabilityandposition;butIwouldsuggestthatFamagoustaisunderrated。Ihavealreadydescribedthatpowerfulfortress,andinitspresentcondition,ifmountedwithforty-tongunsuponthesea-face,Idoubtthepossibilityofanattackfromseaward。
  Thenaturalreefswhichformthesea-wallaffordthegreatestfacilitiesforbatteriesa-fleur-d'eau,astheirsolidfoundationsrequirethesimplelevellingofcement,andafacingofsteelplateswouldcompleteanimpregnablelineofcasematesthatwouldrendertheapproachbyseaimpossible。
  Theadvantagesofattendantcolliersisgreatasacontinuouscoal-supplytoafleet,especiallyduringtheblockadeofanenemy'sport;butforacruisingfleet,orforindependentvessels,thespeedofthecollierswouldbeinsufficient,andalineofcoaling-stations,atintervalsoffivedays'steamingisinmyopinionhighlyimportant,inadditiontothenecessityofdockswhereironcladvesselscouldobtainthenecessaryrepairsafteranavalengagement。Itisaseriousresultofmodernimprovementsthatthecumbrousandcomplicatedironcladscannotberepairedinafewdaysafteranactionwiththeenemybytheirowncarpentersandcrews,likethewoodenvesselsofold,butthatdocksmustbewithinreach,andalltheappliancesoftheengineers'yardsandanarsenal。Withoutthisadvantage,Famagoustawouldbeauselessacquisition,andCypruswouldbeworthlessasastrategicalposition。
  InmyopiniontheentirequestionhangsupontheintegrityofTurkeyasanally。Englandhasdonebutlittleforher,andwemayexpecttoomuch。TheTurksarethoroughlyawarethatanAnglo-Turkishdefensivealliance,andthe“ProtectorateofAsiaMinorbyGreatBritain,“arepoliticalarrangementsbaseduponself-interest,forwhichtheyoweusnopersonalgratitude;inthehouroftheirdistresswedeclinedmaterialassistance,butseizedtheopportunityforoccupyingoneoftheirimportantpositions——Cyprus;theironlysatisfactionremainedintheknowledgethattheyhad“doneus“inthebargain。Wehavequicklydiscoveredthepainfulfact,andonepartytothealliancealreadyfeelsaggrieved,andseeksforanalterationinthetermsoftheConvention。
  Icannotconceiveanymoredangerousrisktofriendshipsthananinterferenceintheprivateaffairsofindividuals,orinthepublicadministrationofgovernments。WehaveassumedtheenormousresponsibilityoftheProtectorateofAsiaMinorunderconditionswhichwemustknowwillneverbefulfilled;Turkeypromisestoreformtheabusesofherinternaladministration,&c。&c。!AnybodywhoknowsTurkeymustbeawarethatsuchareformisimpossible:thehonestadministrativematerialdoesnotexistintheOttomanEmpire,andthepromisesofthePortehavebeentolerablyexemplifiedsincetheCrimeanwar。UnderthesecircumstancestheAnglo-Turkishallianceisinaquestionableposition。WehaveassumedtheProtectorateofAsiaMinorconditionally;weoccupyCyprusconditionally;andshouldTurkeyfailtoperformherpromisesinthegovernmentofherAsiaticprovinces,wehaveaback-doorforanescapefromouronerousengagement。UnfortunatelyEnglishdiplomacyiscelebratedforback-doors。IntheBerlinTreatyweenteredCyprusthroughaback-door,andwemaypossiblyretirebythesameexit;butthereislittledoubtthattheTurkdoesnotbelieveinourprofesseddeterminationtodefendhimbyforceofarmsintheeventofafutureconflictbetweenRussiaandtheSultaninAsiaMinor。
  Notwithstandingourprofessedsincerity,theTurkhasbecomeanunbelieverinthefaithoftreatiesandpoliticalengagements;hebelievesmostthoroughlythatshould“Britishinterests“requirethesacrificeofhonour,EnglandwillsomehoworothermanagetoslipthroughtheOttomanfingers,andescapefromheralliancewhencalledupontomeetRussiainthefield。OfcoursetheignorantTurkiswrong,andhissuspicionsareunfounded。
  Withamutualwantofconfidenceintheintegrityofanalliance,itwouldhardlybesurprisingshouldtheSultanattachmoreimportancetothepracticalforceofRussiathantothemoralrectitudeandhighpoliticalprinciplesofEngland。ThepowerofRussiahasbeenfelt,andthepositionofEuropeanTurkeyisthatofadislocatedanddismemberedEmpire,whichuponthenextexplosionwillreducetheSultantothesmallextremityontheBosphorusbetweenConstantinopleandthelinesofTchataldja。TurkeywillceasetobeaEuropeanPower,andupontheoutbreakofthenextRussianwarshewillbediscoveredasrepresentedbyAsiaMinor,inwhichtheclawsoftheEaglearealreadyfixedinthevitalpoints——Batoum,Kars,andArdahan。ARussianadvancefromthosepositionswill,accordingtothetermsofthealliance,compelGreatBritaintoexhibitherselfasthechampionofTurkishrightsinarmeddefenceofAsiaMinor。
  WhenwereflectupontheprodigiousresponsibilityofsuchanalliancewithacrippledPowerthathasbeencompletelysubdued,thevictoriousarmyoftheCzarretiredfromthegatesofthecapital,thenationbankruptbeyondallhopesofliquidation,thevariousstatesinchronicdiscontentbothinEuropeandinAsia,andtheclaimsofGreecethreateningtoexplodethecombustiblematerials,wemaywellappreciatetheback-doorthathassofrequentlyaffordedaretreatfromanuntenableposition。
  IfitisnecessaryforEnglandtoformadefensivealliancewithTurkeyasacrippledPower,withRussiaactuallyestablishedinAsiaMinor,whyshouldwehavewaiteduntilTurkeywasmortallystricken,whenbyanearlieralliancewecouldhaveatleastsavedAsiaMinorinitsintegrity?Wehaveletthelionintothehousewithaboastthatwewillturnhimoutintheeventoffurtherroaring,insteadofhavingpreventedhisentryinthefirstinstance。
  UnderallthecircumstancesoftheriskandresponsibilityassumedbyEnglandinadefensivealliancewithTurkeyunderthetitleofaProtectorateofAsiaMinor,theCyprusConventionishighlyunfavourableinitsconditions。TheislandshouldhavebeensimplyconveyedfromTurkeyandtransferredasafreegifttoEngland,asapositionnecessaryforheroccupationundertheprobablecontingenciesoftheAnglo-Turkishalliance,anditshouldhaveatoncebecomeaportionoftheBritishEmpire。Hadthiscoursebeenpursuedamutualconfidencewouldhavebeenestablished;ontheotherhand,allback-doorswouldhavebeensealed,asweshouldhavebeenboundbyallthelawsofhonourtodefendTurkeytothelastextremityinAsiaMinor。
  Russia,inKars,occupiesapositionwhichaffordsanunboundedhorizonforpoliticalintrigue。ThevariousTurkishPachasandotherdistrictauthoritiesthroughoutAsiaMinorhavewitnessedtheirresistibleadvanceofRussia,whileEnglandstoodafaroff,andonlyassistedTurkeywithhergoodcounsel。ThesameauthoritiesnowseeRussiainpossession,whileEngland,whohasnotassistedduringthebloodystruggle,appearsuponthesceneasapoliticalPaulPry,andintrudesuponthemysteriesthatsurroundPachas,Governors,andvariousfunctionaries,who,fromthehighesttothelowestofficial,mainlyexistuponextortion。
  ItishardlynecessarytoexplainthatBritishassistanceinsuchaformwillbemostunwelcome,andwillincreaseourreputationforintermeddlingwhileinthehourofextremitywewithholdtherequiredaid。AnyinterferenceonourpartwiththeadministrationofAsiaMinorwillcauseanextremejealousyandsuspicionthroughoutallclassesofTurkishofficials,whowillberenderedthemoreamenabletotheguilesofRussianintriguesfromKarsandArdahan。AveryslightknowledgeofTurkishcharacterwouldinducethenaturalconclusion。TheEnglishwouldbesuspectedofcovetingAsiaMinor,astheyhadalreadyobtainedCyprus,andRussiawouldhavegainedherendindestroyingallconfidencethatmightpossiblyhaveexisted,andthusendangerthedefensivealliance。
  ThereareseriousrisksthatmightenforcetheadvanceofRussiantroopsbeyondthedefinedfrontier。Alreadytherearereportsofgeneraldiscontentandthreateneddisturbances。IntheeventofamutinyofTurkishtroopsontheRussianborder,theRussiansmightbeinvitedtoassistbythePachaincommand。Sometimessuchrevoltsarefactitious,forpoliticalpurposes。InallcasesthepositionofRussiainAsiaMinorisoneofextremedangertoTurkey,anditisfarfromimprobablethatactivityonherside,andpassivenessuponours,mayterminateinafriendshipbetweentheRussiansandtheTurkstothedetrimentofBritishinterests,andtotheconfusionoftheassumedProtectorate。
  Thisdocumentdistinctlystates:——If“Batoum,Ardahan,Kars,oranyofthemshallberetainedbyRussia,andifanyfurtherattemptshallbemadeatanyfuturetimebyRussiatotakepossessionofanyfurtherterritoriesofhisImperialMajestytheSultaninAsiaasfixedbythedefinitivetreatyofpeace,EnglandengagestojoinhisImperialMajestytheSultanindefendingthembyforceofarms。“
  InadespatchfromLordSalisburytoSirA。H。Layard,dated30thMay,1878,theseominouswordsarecontained:——
  “EvenifitbecertainthatBatoumandArdahanandKarswillnotbecomethebasefromwhichemissariesofintriguewillissueforth,tobeinduetimefollowedbyinvadingarmies,themereretentionofthembyRussiawillexerciseapowerfulinfluenceindisintegratingtheAsiaticdominionofthePorte。“
  InthesamelengthydespatchtheconditionsaredescribedwhichTurkeymustfulfilinreformingtheabusesofthepresentadministration,&c。
  &c。,andtherecanbenodoubtthattheBritishgovernmentcontemplatedthenecessityofsupplantingaconsiderablenumberofthepeculantTurkishofficialsbyexperiencedEnglishofficers,whosesupervisionwouldensurethenecessaryreforms。IfsuchacourseshouldhavebeenacceptedbythePortetherecouldbenoquestionofthesalutaryeffect,asthepresenceofBritishofficialsinactualauthoritythroughouttheprovincesofAsiaMinorwouldhaveprovedtothevariousracesourpositivedeterminationtoupholdtheirrights,andtodefendthemfromtheoppressionandextortiontowhichtheyhadbeensubjected。SuchapositionwouldhavegivenEnglandthecontrolthatisabsolutelynecessarytoeffectthereformsintheadministrationofAsiaMinor,withoutwhichtheresultwillbeanarchyandrevolutionwithinafewyears,fosteredbyRussiapreciselyinaccordancewiththepolicythathasterminatedinthedisruptionofTurkeyinEurope。
  Inthesamedespatchof30thMay,1878,LordSalisburycontinues:——
  “HerMajesty'sGovernmentintimatedtothePorteontheoccasionoftheConferenceatConstantinoplethattheywerenotpreparedtosanctionmisgovernmentandoppression,anditwillberequisitebeforetheycanenterintoanyagreementforthedefenceoftheAsiaticterritoriesofthePorteincertaineventualities,thattheyshouldbeformallyassuredoftheintentionofthePortetointroducethenecessaryreformsintothegovernmentoftheChristianandothersubjectsofthePorteinthoseregions。ITISNOTDESIRABLETOREQUIRE
  MORETHANANENGAGEMENTINGENERALTERMS,FORTHE
  SPECIFICMEASURESTOBETAKENCOULDONLYBEDEFINED
  AFTERAMORECAREFULINQUIRYANDDELIBERATIONTHAN
  COULDBESECUREDATTHEPRESENTJUNCTURE。“
  Theitalicsaremyown,fortheweakpointoftheConventionisexhibitedbythissentence。
  No“generalterms“shouldeverbementionedinacommunicationwithOrientals,andnoconventionshouldhavebeenconcludedwiththePorte,unlesseverydetailhadbeenpreviouslyconsideredandspeciallyagreeduponbetweenthecontractingparties。WhenthisConventionwasmadepublic,IconcludedthattheBritishgovernmentcontemplatedtheofficialemploymentofacertainnumberoftheirownofficerstocarryoutthespiritoftheagreement,withoutwhichtheConventionwouldbeafarce;atthesametimeIwasconvincedthatthesuspicionsoftheTurkishgovernmentandthestubbornprideoftheracewouldresistanysuchdirectinterferenceuponthepartofEngland。UndertheseconditionsAsiaMinorwouldremainexactlywhereitwas。Agrandschemewhichwouldhavehadimmensepoliticalresults,hadtheTurksacceptedourinterferenceinthehonourablespiritofourintentions,hasbeenfrustratedbytheirwantofconfidence,andtheConventionremains,containinganagreementofstupendousimportance,bywhichEnglandiscommittedtoamilitaryundertakingofthefirstmagnitude,whileTurkeyrisksnothingexcepther“PROMISESOFREFORMintheadministrationofherAsiaticprovinces。“
  “Britishinterests“inthistransactionarerepresentedbyCyprus,whichweoccupyastenants——paying96,000poundsayearfortheruinedhouse,andleavingourselvesnobalancefromtherevenueforthenecessaryrepairs。
  ThereisnomoredifficultpoliticalassociatethantheTurk;hisdefensiveweaponisdelay,andinmomentsofthegreatestemergencyhispeculiarapathyorpatienceneverforsakeshim。Proudandhaughtytoasuperlativedegree,inhishearthedetestsallextraneouscounselandinterference,andwouldratherglideonwardtodestructionthangraspthehandstretchedouttosavehim。TurkeyhasexpectedmuchfromEngland,andhasmadeapoorreturnforoursacrificeofbloodandtreasureduringtheCrimeanwar。SheobtainedanephemeralfinancialreputationthroughtheaidofFranceandEnglandinbecomingguaranteesforapublicloan;uponthisfalsepositionshetradeduntiltheinevitablebankruptcyplungedherintoruin,andopenedthegatefortheentranceofherenemies,atthesametimethatdishonestyentailedtheseveranceoffriends。Englandhasfrommutualinterestsendeavouredtopreserveherfromabsolutedissolution,andtheProtectorateofAsiaMinorwasastepofpoliticalaudacityinherfavourthatsurprisedtheworld。ThisextraordinaryofferofmaterialaidhasbeenmetbythesamewantofconfidencethathasmarkedthedeclineoftheTurkishEmpire;
  theonlyextrainterferenceinAsiaMinorhasbeentheappointmentofafewadditionalBritishconsuls。Thesegentlemenwillreportlonglistsofabuses,andthegeneralmal-administrationoftheTurkishofficials;
  theywillbehatedaccordingly,andbeingabsolutelypowerlessforgood,theywillsimplykeeptheForeignOfficeinformedofwhatwasthoroughlywellknownbefore。RemonstrancesuponourpartwillbemadetothePorte,whowilldenytheaccuracyoftheconsularreports,andultimatelyaspecialcommissionwillbesentout,whichwillprovetheircorrectness;thePortewillagainpromiseamendment,butwillnotsanctiontheappointmentofBritishofficials。Inthisold-fashionedcourse,sothoroughlyunderstoodbyallwhohaveanyknowledgeofTurkey,theaffairsofAsiaMinorwillbeconducted,untilrevolutionshallbringRussiauponthesceneatthemostfavourableopportunity;
  andEngland,whohasbeenthwartedbythePowershehasendeavouredtosave,will,bythetermsoftheConvention,becompelledtoappearinarmsasthedefenderoftheremnantoftheTurkishEmpire。
  CommonsensewouldsuggesttheabsolutenecessityofspecialandclearlydefinedconditionsinconcludinganalliancewithTurkeywhichmayatanymomentdemandourmilitaryinterference。IfweareboundtoassistbyforceofarmsinthedefenceofAsiaMinor,itisequallynecessarythatTurkeyshouldbeboundtoqualifyherselfforresistancetoanattackfromRussia。ItshouldhavebeendistinctlyagreedthatTurkeyshouldraiseaterritorialarmyofanestimatedstrengthfortheprotectionofAsiaMinor,andthatacertainnumberofBritishofficersshouldholdimportantcommands,toensuretheregularpaymentofthetroopsandtomaintainthenecessarydiscipline。Hadsuchconditionsbeendefined,andthecivilcourtsbeenplacedunderthesupervisionofBritishofficials,theProtectorateofAsiaMinorwouldhavebecomeapracticalcombinationthatwouldhavebeenaneffectualchecktoRussianencroachments;butastheaffairnowstands,theallianceisfraughtwithextremedangertoourselves。IcannotconceivethepossibilityofacredulitythatwouldinduceexperiencedstatesmentobelieveintheassurancesgiveneitherbyTurkeyorbyRussia。Thehistoryofthepastissufficienttoprovetheutterfallacyofassertions,promises,andtreaties;Turkeywillpersistinmal-administration;Russia,whoisnowmarchinguponMervinspiteofformerassurances,assheadvancedonKhivaundersimilarpretexts,willatthemomentofherownselectionassuredlybreakthroughherboundariesinAsiaMinor。ThepositionofEnglandwillbecontemptible。WehavethrowndownthegauntlettoRussiabyanostentatiousalliancewithTurkey,butwehesitatetoinsistupontheoverwhelmingnecessityofBritishofficialandmilitaryofficerstoorganisetheciviladministrationandanarmyofdefence;thus,whenthesuddenemergencyshallarise,Turkeywillbetotallyunprepared;thevariousracesthatcompriseherAsiaticdominionswillalreadyhavebeenpoisonedbyintrigue,andtheonlydefencethatcanbeofferedtoaRussianadvancewillbeaffordedbyTurkishneglect,whichhasleftthecountrydevoidofroads。
  Undertheseinevitablecircumstances,EnglandwillprobablyaccuseTurkeyofneglectingtofulfiltheconditionsofthedefensivealliance,andthe“back-door“willofferaconvenientexitfromthedifficulty;
  inwhichcase,TurkeywillbecompelledtomaketermswithRussiathatwillprobablyterminateinaRusso-TurkishallianceAGAINSTEngland,whowillbeaccusedofhavingtreacherouslydesertedherafterbreakingasolemnengagement——andobtainingCyprus。
  Thismaybeagloomyprospect,butitisnotoneshadedarkerthantherealityoftheposition,unlessthePortewillsanctiontheassistanceofaBritishadministrationthatwouldentirelychangethepoliticalaspect。AreformofadministrationinAsiaMinortobeeffective,shouldbebaseduponthejudicialsystempursuedbytheEnglishinthecourtsofCyprus——wheretheTurkishlawsremainundisturbed,buttheyareadministeredunderthesupervisionofspeciallyappointedofficers。ForthemostpartTurkishlawsarebaseduponpureequity,andleavelittletobedesiredbeyondtheirfaithfulexecution。TheoppressionandextortionprevalentthroughouttheTurkishdominionsaredirectlycontrarytothelaws,andaretheresultofpersonaltyrannyonthepartoftheauthorities。
  IntheeventofarupturewithourallythatwouldresultinaRusso-Turkishcombination,CypruswouldexhibititsimportanceasastrategicalpositionthatwouldentirelycommandthecoastsofSyriaandtheapproachtoEgypt。AsIhavealreadystated,thevalueoftheislandisconditionaluponthepermanenceoftheTurkishalliance;shouldTurkeyandEnglandremainfriendsandallies,CyprusisquiteunnecessaryasaBritishmilitarystation;butourpossessionwillprobablyENTAILTHEABSOLUTENECESSITYOFTURKISHGOODFAITH,astherestoredarsenalandharbourofFamagoustawouldcompleteapositionthatwoulddominatethewholeoftheTurkishshoresupontheMediterranean,andinconjunctionwithGreece,whichwouldassuretherefugeofCorfutoourfleets,thenavalpowerofGreatBritainwouldbeabsolutetotheeastofGibraltar。
  CHAPTERXX。
  CONCLUSION。
  TROODITISSAMONASTERY,CYPRUS。
  Itisthe22ndAugust,andthemanuscriptof“CyprusasIsawitin1879“hasalreadybeenforwardedtoEngland。InanothermonthweshallbeenroutefortheEuphratesviaAlexandretta,andthroughBagdadtoIndiabythePersianGulf。Ishallthereforebeplacedattheseriousdisadvantageofanexclusionfromtheproofs,whichmayrequirealterationsandcorrections;thiswillItrustexcusemeshouldanyrepetitionsbeapparentthatwouldotherwisehavebeendetectedbeforepublication。ThereislittletoaddtothedescriptionIhavegiventhatwouldbeofpublicinterest,thereforethefewadditionaldetailsareconsignedtoashortAppendix。
  Theseclusionofthemonasteryhasbeenanagreeableintervalthathasformedamoralharbourfromtheuncertainseasofbusylife,andweshallleavethequietspotandthegoodoldmonkswithsomeregret。A
  greatchangehasbeeneffectedsinceourarrivalinearlyMay。Theheapsoffilthhavegivenplacetoextremecleanliness;themonkswashtheirhandsandfaces;eventhemonasteryyardisswept。Noatomofimpurityisallowedtodefacethewalkfromthecoldspringtothegreatwalnut-tree。Mylittlegardenhasflourishedandproducedlargely;themelonswereofexcellentflavour;thetomatoesandothervegetablesweregood,includingaspeciesofesculentamaranthuswhichisasubstituteforspinach。Iemployedamanandhissontoopenthepathfor2。75
  miles,fromthemonasterytothemilitaryroutetoTroodos,whichmuchimprovedthecommunication,andsomewhatrelievedoursolitudebyincreasingthevisitsofourfriends。IfanystrangershouldnowarrivefromEnglandatTrooditissahewouldappreciatethecalmandcoolasylumcontrastingwiththeheatofthelowercountry;butshouldhearriveevenoneshortmonthafterourdeparture,Ifearthepicturewillhavechanged。Throngsofmuleswillhavedefiledourcleancourtyard,andwillbestabledwithinourshadyretreatbeneaththewalnut-tree,whichwillremainunswept。Thefilthyhabitsofthepeople,nowrestrainedonlybystrongremonstrance,willbetooapparent。Theoldmonks,NeophitosandWoomonos,whoaredearoldpeoplewhencleanwillceasetowash,andtheplaceandpeoplewillcertainlyrelapseintotheprimevalstateofdirtandholinessinwhichwefirstdiscoveredit。
  Weleaveinfriendshipwithall,andduringoursojournatTrooditissaofmorethanthreemonths,noquarrels,oreventriflingdisagreements,haveoccurredbetweentheservantsorthepeople。ThetemporarystormoccasionedbytheabruptdepartureofChristinawasquicklylulledbythearrivalofthemiddle-aged-maidofallworkofseventy-five,whohasperformedallherarduousdutieswithadmirablepatience。OurownservantshavebeenmostsatisfactorysincetheirfirstengagementuponourarrivalinCyprusinJanuarylast;Georgithe“prodigalson,“hasbeenofmuchserviceasinterpreter,andisanhonestandwillingyoungman,butthereisapeculiarityinhisphysicalconstitutionexhibitedinthemutualwantofattachmentbetweenhispersonandhisbuttons。
  Thesesmallbutnecessaryfriendscontinuallydeserthim;andhisshoesappeartowalkafewinchesfasterthanhisfeet,leavinghiminachronicstateofdown-at-heel。Collarswillnotassimilatewithhisneck;whethertheyaretiedwithstrings,orfastenedwithbuttons,theresultisthesame,andGeorgi'sexteriorwhenallorthreepartsofhisbuttonshavedesertedhim,exhibitsaloosenesswhichIamgladtosaybynomeansappliestohischaracter。ThecookChristoisanexcellentfellow,alwayswillingtoplease,andgoodinhisprofession;addedtowhich,heassumesademeanourofimportancewhichisirresistible,andmakesallpathssmooth。MyAbyssinian,Amarn,isalwaysthesamequiet,steadycharacter,whoperformshisdailyworkwiththecalmregularityofthestreamthatturnsamill-wheel,andcanalwaysbedependedon。ItisapleasuretomethatourpartydoesnotdissolveuponleavingCyprus,buttheservantsaccompanyusontheAsiaticshore。
  Inconclusion,ImustacknowledgewithduethanksthevaluableassistancethatIhavereceivedinstatisticalinformationaffordedbythekindnessoftheHighCommissioner,HisExcellencyGeneralBiddulph,R。A,C。B。,andthevariouschiefcommissionersofdistricts,includingLieutenant-ColonelWhite,FirstRoyalScots,ofLefkosia;
  Lieutenant-ColonelWarren,R。A。,ofLimasolnowpromotedtoChiefoftheStaff;ClaudeDelavalCobham,Esq。,M。A。,ofLarnaca;CaptainInglis,ofFamagousta;andCaptainA。Wauchope,42ndHighlanders,ofBaffo。
  IntakingleaveofCyprusImustexpressmyshareinthegeneralregretatthedepartureofSirGarnetandLadyWolseley,fromwhomwereceivedmuchkindness。Hissuccessor,GeneralBiddulph,R。A。,iswellknownasamostableandpainstakingofficer,whoisadmirablysuitedfortheresponsiblepositionhenowoccupies,butallwillrememberwithdueappreciationthevigorousadministrationofSirGarnetWolseley,whowasselectedforthecommandofCyprusinthedifficultperiodofthefirstBritishoccupation。
  THEEND。
  APPENDIX。
  METEOROLOGICALREGISTERTHROUGHOUTJOURNEYSINCYPRUS。
  FROM1STFEBRUARYTO21STAUGUST,1879。
  ItwillberemarkedthatAugustatTrooditissaisconsiderablylowerintemperaturethanJuly。
  Thefollowingdata,from1stto17thAugust,kindlysuppliedmebyLieut-ColonelWhite,ChiefCommissionerofLefkosia,willexhibitthedifferencebetweenthatstation,442feetabovethesealevel,andTrooditissaMonastery,4,340feet。
  Thefollowingofficialestimateofrevenueandexpendituremustbeacceptedasonlyapproximate。Asthetaxesareatpresentcollectedbydimes,ortenths,theamountmustdependupontheagriculturalprosperityoftheisland,whichisliabletoconsiderablefluctuations,andduringthepresentyearofsemi-faminewillresultinaseriousdiminution。TherewillprobablybeasensibledecreaseintheCustomsreceipts,astheimportofEuropeangoodshasbeencheckedbythecollapseofmanyEuropeantraderswhohadarrivedinCyprusatthefirstannouncementoftheBritishoccupation,anddiscoveredthattheirgoodswereunsuitedtotherequirementsoftheextremelypoorandfrugalpopulation。ThegreaterportionoftheEnglishtradershavealreadyretiredfromtheisland;theGreekmerchantswhohavebeenlongestablishedaresatisfiedwithsmallprofits,andtheirexpensesareuponaproportionatescale,whichrendersBritishcompetitionquiteimpossible。TheCypriotesdeclinetopurchasefromtheEnglishstores,astheyareignorantofthelanguage,andthegoodsareill-adaptedtotheirwants。Thefirstrushofcommercialactivityduetothepoliticalmovementin1878hassubsided,andthetradewillberepresentedchieflybytheagriculturalexportsfromtheislanduntilsomemorefavourableconditionsofouroccupationmayinduceanewimpulse,andcapitalistsmayventureuponinvestmentsinCyprus。
  TheminesofumbernearLarnacahavebeenlet,anditisbynomeansimprobablethatanextensionmayinafewyearsbeapparentinenterprisesofthisdescription。CopperminesnearKhrysokhusarebeingopened,butthepreliminaryoperationscanaffordnocluetothevalueoftheresult。TheumberisshippedexclusivelytoHollandforthemanufactureofpaint,andtheproduceofCyprusisconsideredtobethefinestquality。Althoughasbestosisreportedtoexistofaremarkablylongfibreandsofttexture,Ihavenevermetwithitexceptinthecoarseformwhichiscommoninmanyportionsoftheisland,especiallyontheTroodosrange,wherethebaseofthisstoneisashininggreenishsubstanceofahornytexture,whichgraduallyterminatesinbristlesofasbestos。Ihavealsoseenitinthinveinsofmetamorphicrocks,glitteringlikesilver,andwhenscratchedwithaknife,itresolvesintoadownyconditionlikescrapedcotton。Allthesemineralresourcesrequireaspecialandminuteinvestigation。
  ESTIMATESOFREVENUEANDEXPENDITUREINCYPRUSFOR1878-79。
  MemorandumontheRevenueandChargesoftheIslandofCyprusfortheFiveYearsfrom1873-4to1877-8,underTurkishAdministration,withanEstimatefortheYear1878-9,includingtheChargesofBritishAdministrationoftheIsland。
  InsubmittingtheenclosedstatementoftheaccountsofCyprusforthepastfiveyears,withtheestimateofrevenueandexpenditureforthecurrentofficialyear,1878-79,Iproposetodescribebrieflythecharacterandoperationoftheseveraltaxesoftheislandinthepast,andtheconsiderationsthathaveguidedmeinframingtheestimateforthepresentyear。
  Dimes,orTithesonProduceoftheLand。
  ThisistheGovernmentshareoftheproduceoftheland,andconstitutesbyfarthelargestitemintherevenueoftheisland。Inthe,year1874
  thetithewasraisedtoaneighthpart,or121/2percentontheproduce,butthatwasabandonedin1876,andthetitheisallthathasbeensinceleviedwiththesanctionoftheTurkishGovernment。
  TheunitoftheTurkishrevenuesystemisthevillage;thenthenahie,orgroupofvillages;thenthecazacanton;thenthesandjakarrondissement;and,lastly,thevilayet,orprovince,underaGovernor-General,DirectorofFinance,andCouncilofAdministration。
  Throughouttheseseveralstages-fromthevillagetothenahie,caza,sandjak,andchiefplaceofthevilayet-thereareexcellentrulesforthecheckanddispositionoftherevenues,buttheyarenotobserved。
  Indeed,inthejudicial,asintherevenueandfinancialadministrationoftheisland,theorganisationofestablishmentsandrulesofprocedurearecommendableineveryway,buttherulesareunknownto,orignoredby,theofficialsemployedtoadministerthem。
  ThetithesarefarmedbytheTurkishGovernmenttomerchantsandspeculatorsinthespringofeachyear,whentheripeningcropsenableallconcernedtoestimatetheextentandqualityoftheyear'sproduce。
  Thesaleofthetithesbyvillages,nahies,orcazas,asmaybepreferredcommencesinMarchandendsonthe15thJune,andwhatevertithesthenremainunsoldtheGovernmentundertakestorecoverthroughitsownagents。
  Whenthesalesareeffectedthetithe-farmersignsabondfortheamount,payableinsixmonthlyinstalments,commencingfromthe1stAugust,withinterestoninstalmentsnotpaidatduedate。Eachtithe-farmerisrequiredtohaveasufficientsurety,whoalsosignsthebondandisjointlyandequallyresponsiblewiththeprincipal。Afterconclusionoftheagreement,thetithe-farmerproceedsatoncetowatchthefieldsinwhichheisinterestedandtoestimatetheyield。Heseesthegraincut,threshed,heaped,andinsistsuponitsremaininguponthethreshing-flooruntilhisclaimissatisfied-theclaimalwaysexceedingthestipulatedtenth。Forwheat,barley,andothergrains,arrangementshavetobemadebythecultivatorsfortransittothenearestportofembarkation,ontermsmoreorlessunfavourabletothemselves。Theircattlearetakenawayfortransportwhenmostrequiredintheirownfields,andtheyhavetobearalltheexpensesoftransit,excepttheexpenseofthefirstmile,whichispaidbythetithe-farmers。Forfruit,vegetables,andotherperishablearticles,thetitheiscommutedinamoneypayment,respectingwhichthereareusuallydisputes,determinablebythelocalKaimakamorheadGovernmentofficialofeachcaza。Theawardsoftheseofficialsarealwaysinfavourofthetithe-farmers,whoaremembersoftheAdministrativeCouncils,orotherwisepersonsofinfluenceinthecazascomprisedintheirrespectiveengagements。Laterintheyear,oraboutthe15thAugust,thevineyardsaresimilarlyvisitedbythetithe-farmersortheirrepresentatives,andestimatesoftheproducearemadebythemandbythecultivators。Theseestimatesalwaysdiffer,andarethesubjectofconstantdisputes,whicharereferredtotheKaimakam,whoseawardisgenerallyinfavourofthetithe-farmer。Asthegrapecannotberemoveduntiltheclaimissettled,thecultivatorsubmitstotheexactionsofthetithe-farmersratherthanriskthedeteriorationorlossofhisstock,andisthuspracticallymulctedinproportionsfarexceedingatenthoftheentireproduce。Theeffectoftheseillegalexactionshasbeentoreducethecultivationofthegrapethroughouttheisland。
  But,thoughkeenintheirdealingswiththepeasantry,thetithe-
  farmersareslowintheirownpaymentstotheGovernmentTreasury。
  Thesepaymentsarerequired,undertheirbonds,insixmonthlyinstalmentsfromthe1stAugust;graceisallowedforfortydays,andtheinstalmentsarerequiredtocommenceonthe10thSeptember。Theyaredelayed,however,onvariouspretexts,andreclamationsandremissionsofrevenueareoftenunjustlyobtainedthroughcollusionwiththelocalKaimakamsandMalmudirs。Thus,thetithe-farmermakeshisbargainwiththeGovernmentwhenthecropsareripening,recovershisclaimdirectlytheyaregathered,indefinitelypostponeshisownobligationstotheGovernmentandoftenevadesthemaltogether。Although,underhisbond,interestispayableonoverdueinstalments,itisneverenforced。Anexaminationoftheaccountsrevealedtheexistenceofconsiderablearrearclaimsextendingoverseveralyears,andforthemostpartirrecoverablenow。Practically,thetithe-farmer'sobligationshaveneverbeendischargedintheyeartowhichtheybelonged。Ofthecollectionscreditedintheyear1876-77,nearlyone-halfwasonaccountoftheclaimsofprioryears。
  ThesefactsclearlyshowthattheoperationofthetithesystemhasresultedinalossofrevenuetotheState。Ithasimpoverishedthepeasant,involvinghiminthetoilsofthemoney-lenderaswellasofthetithe-farmer。Ithascheckedtheproductivenessoftheisland,theareanowundercultivationbeinglessthanathirdofalltheculturablelandsofCyprus。Somemodificationofthetax,orofthemachineryforitscollection,wouldthereforeseemtobeimperativelyrequired。
  Therearenotwantingpointsofanalogy,asofdifference,betweenCyprusandsomeoftheBritishprovincesofIndia,andasuggestionhasbeenmadetosubstitutetheIndiansystemofafixedmoneypaymentforthetenthoftheproduceinkind。Curiouslyenough,theconversepropositionhaslatelyfoundfavourinIndiainconnectionwiththeagrarianriotsintheDekkan,andwhatisthereregardedasthebaneoftheIndiansystemisnowproposedhereastheantidoteoftheTurkishsystem。LiketheCypriote,butinagreaterdegree,theDekkanpeasantispoor,indebted,andindifferenttotheimprovementofhisland,andbothareconstantlyliabletotheeffectsofdroughtandfamine。ButwhilsttheStaterequiresfromtheformeronlyatenthpartofhisactualcrops,theIndianpeasantisliableforthefullmoneyratefixedwithoutregardtotherainfallandthecrops。AsbetweentheStateandthepeasant,theelastictithetaxwouldseemtobepreferable-itsevilworkinginCyprusbeingduemainlytotheirresponsibleandunscrupulousagenciesentrustedwiththecollectionofthetithes。Inattemptinganyreform,therefore,careshouldbetakenattheoutsettoavoidprinciplesormethodsthathavecontributedinIndiatoevilssimilartothosethathavetoberectifiedhere。Thedirectionandscopeofthereformmustnecessarilydependuponmorecompleteinformationthanisatpresentavailablerespectingthelandtenuresandlocalagriculturalcustomsofthisisland,thevarietiesofsoil,themeansofirrigationactualandpossible,andtheconditionsandhabitsoftheagriculturalclassesgenerally。
  Informationontheseessentialpointsmay,however,beobtainedbeforetheterminationofthepresentengagementswiththetithe-
  farmersinMarch1879。Aroughfieldsurveywouldpreparethegroundforasystematicinquiryintorightsandinterestsineachestateandvillagethroughouttheseveraldistrictsoftheisland。
  Theinquiry,conductedbytherespectivecommissionersofdistrictsinthenextfewmonthsoffavourableweather,maybemadetoembracethefollowingpoints1。Theextentoftheseveralholdings,andwhetherheldunderproprietary,sub-proprietary,oroccupancyrights。
  2。Theaverageproduceofeachestateorholding,anditsvalue,sayforthelastthreeorfouryears。
  3。Theareasrespectively1undercultivation,2notundercultivationbutculturable,3unculturableandbarrenwaste。
  4。Inthecaseofculturablelandsnotundercultivation,inquiryshouldbemadewhetherthisistheresultoftheoppressivewayofcollectingtithes,orthewantofmoneyorcultivators,orwhetherthelandisrequiredforgrazingorotherpurposes。
  5。Thecharacterofthesoilinvariouspartsoftheisland,andtherespectiveproducingcapabilities。
  6。Thearrangements,existingandpossible,forirrigationbywells,aqueducts,andtanks。
  7。Theproportionofthepeopleoccupiedinagriculture,andtheproportioninotherpursuitsthanhusbandry。
  8。Thepersonalconditionoftheagriculturalclasses,whetherwellhoused,wellclad,withgoodcattle,ploughs,andgear,orthereverse。
  9。Thestandardformeasuringland。Theareaofeachestateorholding,aftermeasurement,shouldbereducedtoEnglishstandardacres。
  Theresultoftheseinquiries,accuratelyandclearlyrecorded,wouldaffordvaluabledatafordeterminingtheextenttowhichthepresenttithearrangementmaybemodifiedfortheensuingfinancialyear。
  Whatevermodificationmaybeadoptedinsubstance,thetaxwillatleastbecollectedwithoutinjusticeoroppression,andthecostofcollectionwillbecoveredbytheincreasedrevenuewhichmustresultfromanimprovedadministration。TheproportionoftheproduceheretoforetakeninCyprus,astheshareoftheSovereignpower,isconsiderablybelowthattakeninotherEasterncountries。InIndia,thisshareundertheancientHindooRajahswasone-sixth。UndertheMohammedanrule,athirdoftheaverageproduceofaveragelandwasheldtobetheGovernmentshare。UnderBritishrule,fromone-thirdtoone-halfoftherentalisthestandardofassessmentatthepresentday,representingamuchlargerproportionthanatenthoftheproduceoftheland。AndinCyprusashasbeenshownintheprecedingremarks,althoughthedeclaredshareoftheStatewasonlyone-tenth,thepeasantryhavecontributedaverymuchlargerproportion,thedifferenceformingtheperquisitesofthecollectorsoftherevenue。HenceitmayfairlybeassumedthattheBritishadministrationmaytakealargersharethanone-tenthoftheproduce,withoutimposinganyadditionalburdenwhateveronthepeople。
  ItmayratherbehopedthatanyincreasedStatedemanduponthecultivatorwillstillleavehimalargerproportionofthefruitofhislaboursthanhehasheretoforeenjoyed,withabsolutefreedomindisposingofittothebestadvantage。
  Afurtherincreaseoftherevenuefromlandmaybeanticipatedfromtheextensionofcultivation。Withlightassessments,improvedcommunications,andoccasionalStateaid,alargeproportionoftheculturablelands,nowlyingneglected,maybegraduallybroughtundercultivation,stimulatingtheindustryofthepeople,andincreasingtheproductivenessandwealthoftheisland。
  Forthecurrentyear,however,theexistingarrangementwiththetithe-farmersmustbeaccepted,andtherevenueestimatedaccordingly。
  Theyear'stithesweresoldfor82,088Turkishliras,ornearly74,000
  poundssterling,andthewholeamounthasyettobecollected。Already,thetithe-farmerspleadinabilitytorecovertheirduesfromthecultivators。Thetruthprobablyisthat,whilsttheBritishadministrationhassomewhatcheckedtheirhabitualexactions,ithasemboldenedthepeasantrytoresistancewhichwouldneverhavebeenattemptedundertheTurkishrule。Duejusticewillbedonebetweentheparties,but,inanycase,theGovernmentclaimof82,088lirasiscoveredbysufficientsecurity,andwillberealisedforthemostpart。
  Duringtheearliermonthsofthecurrentyear,beforetheBritishoccupation,thesumof1,306,321piastreswasrecoveredonaccountofsilktithesandtithesofprioryears。Addingthissumtotheunrealisedclaims,andleavingamarginfordefault,thereceiptsfortheyearmaybetakenat8,352,000piastres,or72,000poundssterling。Theaverageofthepreviousfiveyearswas8,584,786piastres,andtheyincludedthreeyearsofscarcity。TheaccountrenderedbytheOttomanGovernmentforthepastyear,1877-78,exhibitsthedimesortithesat12,500,595
  piastres,butthatwastheamountoftheyear'sdemand,andtheactualrealisationsamountedonlyto5,072,872piastres。Lookingtothefavourableconditionsofthepresentyearascomparedwiththepastyear,theestimateof72,000poundssterlingmaybeaccepted。
  TithesonVakoufLands。
  Thetenthpartoftheproduceofvakouflands,fields,andgardensisappropriatedforthemaintenanceofmosques,monasteries,tombs,andotherreligiousfoundations。ThetithesonvakouflandsarepaidtotheMutavelli,orlocaladministratorsofthevakoufs,whoremit20percenttotheMinisteroftheEvkafatConstantinople,andretainthebalance。
  TheMutavelliarenotrequiredtoaccounttoanyGovernmentfunctionaryfortherevenueofvakouflandsbeyondtheannualsubsidyof20percenttotheEvkaf。Itisunderstood,however,thatinmanycasestheobjectsandpurposesforwhichthesevakouflandswereassignedhavelongsinceceasedtoexist,andthusnotonlyarethepiousintentionsofthefoundersfrustrated,butaconsiderablepublicrevenueisdivertedintoprivatechannels。Thelegalconditionsattachedtothesevakouflands,andtothelandsandotherpropertyinCyprusclaimedfortheOttomanCrownandStateunderArticleIVoftheConventionbetweenGreatBritainandTurkeyareatpresentthesubjectofaspecialinquiry,andtheresultwillhaveanimportantbearingontherevenuetobehereafteradministeredbytheBritishGovernment。Forthepresentyear,thetithesonvakouflandshavebeenfarmedfor1,676TurkishlirasinthedistrictsofFamagousta,Kyrenia,Papho,andLimasol。Notitheshavebeensoldintheotherdivisions。Asthetithesonvakouflandsdonotbelongtothegeneralrevenuesoftheisland,theyarenotincludedintheestimatenowsubmitted。
  Verghis。
  Thistaxisdividedintothreeclasses:——
  1。Emlakverghisi,orimpostonhousesorimmovableproperty,at4perthousandonthepurchasingvalue。
  2。Impostof4percentontherentofimmovableproperty,orhousesnotoccupiedbytheirowners。Therentisassumedatiopercentofthevalue。
  3。Verghitemetu,orimpostonprofessionsandtrades,at3percentonprofitsandsalaries。
  Beforethebeginningofeachfinancialyear,thedistrictauthoritiespreparestatementsdesignatingthecontributionsrequiredfromeachvillageandtown,accordingtothenumberofhouses,thenumberandmeansofthepopulation。Theassessmentismaderoughly,andthetaxisrecoveredbyMoukhtarsofvillages,selectedbytheinhabitantsandconfirmedbythedistrictauthorities。Allcollectionsareforwarded,asrecovered,totheTreasuryofthesandjak。
  Allsalesandtransfersofimmovableproperty,withthetitle-deedstheretoappertaining,havetoberegisteredintheRegistrationOffice,andthemeansarethuspartiallyaffordedforassessingtheownersofpropertyforthe4perthousandonthevalue,andthe4percent。ontherental。
  Butthe3percent。onprofessionalprofitsandsalariesisarbitrarilyfixedforeachvillage,orgroupofvillages,andtheMoukhtarslevythepersonalcontributionsofeachtax-payerastheythinkfit。
  Inthisprocessthereisconsiderableoppressionofthepoorertaxpayers,andalsolossofrevenuetotheState。Bothwouldbeobviated,oratalleventsmitigated,byentrustingtheassessmenttoGovernmentofficers,andbyamorecarefulandexactregistrationofproperty,andofprofitsfromtradesandprofessions。Therevenuefromthelicencetaxintownsmustlargelyincreaseinthefuture。
  Asarule,thedistrictofficersendeavourtorecovertheverghisbeforetax-payersaresubjectedtotheexactionsofthetithe-farmersforpaymentofthedimesandotherimposts。InsomeoftheTurkishvilayets,theGovernmenthavegonesofarastoforbidthelocaltribunalsfromcondemningthetax-payerstopaytheclaimsofthirdpartiesuntiltheyhaveassurancethattheverghishavebeenpaid。
  Theaverageyieldoftheverghistaxinthelastfiveyearswas3,521,083piastres,or30,354poundsperannum。Theaccountofthelastyearoftheseries1877-78showedarevenueof3,193,850piastres,or27,535pounds。Thedemandforthecurrentyearis3,380,246piastres,ofwhichonly518,545piastreshavebeenrecovereduptothepresenttime。
  TheslacknessoftheTurkishrevenueofficialsincollectingthistaxisduepartlytothechangeofadministrationanduncertaintyastofuturetaxationoftheisland,andpartlytothewartaxandotherburdensimposeduponthepeopleduringthepastyear。Theneedfulmeasureshavenowbeenadoptedforeffectingrecovery,andasthetaxaffectspropertyandthewell-to-doclasses,itishopedthatabout2,000,000piastreswillberecoveredinthenextsixmonths。Addingthissumtotherecoveriesalreadyeffected,therevenueoftheentireyearisestimatedat2,552,000piastres,or22,000pounds。
  TaxonExemptionfromMilitaryService。
  ThissupersededthecapitationtaxformerlylevieduponChristiansubjects,andothersubjectsofthePortewhowerenotMohammedans,forexemptionfrommilitaryservice。Itisataxof273/4piastresforeachmaleinhabitantfromtwentytofortyyearsofage,butpracticallyitislevieduponmalesbelowandabovethelimitsofage。ReturnsofthenumberscomingunderthisimpostaresettledbetweentheheadsofvillagesandtheMoukhtars。Thelatterarerequiredtorecoverthemoneyandpayitintwelvemonthlyinstalmentsintothechestofthesandjak。
  Therateof273/4piastresisequivalentto5s。permanperannum。
  ThereisnoapparentreasonwhyitshouldnotbepaidatonceandcreditedintheGovernmentTreasuryimmediatelyonpayment。
  ThistaxisunpopularandoffensivetothosewhomitaffectsthroughouttheTurkishdominions。TheGreek,Armenian,BulgariansubjectsofthePortehaveprotestedagainstitfromtimetotime,butwithouteffect。
  WerethesedeclaredeligibleformilitaryserviceonthesametermsasMohammedansubjects,butwiththeoptionofprovidingsubstitutes,theimpostwouldberelievedofitsinvidiouscharacter,andperhapsyieldalargerrevenuetotheStatethanheretofore。This,however,equallywiththeexonerationtax,wouldbeinappropriateinCyprusunderaBritishadministration,whichdoesnotrequireanyconsiderableproportionofthepopulationformilitaryservice。Itismatterforconsideration,therefore,whetherthislighttaxmaybecontinuedinsomeotherform。
  Theaverageyieldofthistaxduringthepastfiveyearswaseqivalentto12,270poundsayear。Itincreasedlastyear,onaccountofthewar,to15,110pounds。Butinthecurrentyeartherecoverieshavebeenslack,forthereasonsstatedaboveinregardtotheverghis,andtheestimateisthereforefor1,044,000piastres,or9,000pounds。
  TaxonSheep。
  ThereisaregularenumerationofthesheepandgoatsthroughouteveryvillageintheislandduringthemonthofMarch,andthetaxiseviedattherateof21/2piastres,orabout6d。perhead。ThetaxiscollectedbytheLocalGovernmentofficials,andwithproperarrangementsshouldallberecoveredinthemonthofApril,butthereareconsiderablearrearclaims,extendingbacktoseveralyears。
  Theaveragerevenuederivedfromthistaxinthelastfiveyearswas9,854poundsperannum。Therecoveriesalreadymadeinthecurrentyearamountto1,187,364Piastres,or10,235pounds。Theestimatefortheentireyearistakenat1,276,000piastres,or11,000pounds,andtherealisationofthissummaybeexpected。
  MiscellaneousRevenue。
  Underthisheadarecomprisedvarioussmalltaxes,suchasthetaxonsalesandtransfersoflandedproperty,oncontracts,onmeasurements,onsaleofcattle,onswine,stamps,judicialfeesandfines,&c。Theaverageyieldofthesetaxesinthelastfiveyearswas767,005
  piastres,withanincreasingtendencyinthelateryears。Theamountrecoveredinthefirstsixmonthsofthecurrentyearwas743,775
  piastres。Theestimatefortheentireyearmaythereforebesafelytakenat1,102,000piastres,or9,500pounds。
  Customs。
  Wenowcometotheindirecttaxes。Ihopeonafutureoccasiontodescribe,morefullythantimewillallowatpresent,theeffectoftheexistingcustomstariffinthepast,andthemodificationsthatmaybemadeunderBritishadministrationinthisimportantbranchofthepublicrevenue,andintheexciseontobaccoandspirits。Itissufficienttosayatpresentthatthecustomsrevenueisderivedfromadutyof8percent。uponimportsand1percent。uponexports,andthatthereceiptsofthelastfiveyearsgiveanaverageof981,405piastres,or8,460
  pounds。TheincreasedpopulationandtradeconsequentupontheBritishoccupationoftheislandhavealreadyhadasensibleeffectupontherevenue。ThecollectionsinthefirstfourmonthsofthecurrentofficialyearunderTurkishruleamountedto268,718piastres,or2,316
  pounds。InthenexttwomonthsofBritishadministrationtheyamountedto305,386piastres,or2,632pounds,beinganincreaseofover127percent。,andthatwithoutanychangeinthetarifforthecustomsregulations。Acontinuanceofthisratemaysafelybereckoneduponforthenextsixmonths,andtherevenueoftheentireyearisthereforeestimatedat1,554,400piastres,or13,400pounds。Thisestimatetakesaccountoftheprobableearlyabolitionofallexportduties。
  ExciseonTobaccoandSpirits。
  Thereceiptsofthelastfiveyearsgiveanaverageannualrevenueof6,475poundsfortobaccoand4,546poundsforspirits。Thereceiptsforthefirstsixmonthsofthecurrentyearamountto4,400poundsfortobaccoand3,930poundsforspirits。Theestimatefortheentireyearis8,650poundsfortobaccoand8,200poundsforspirits,anditisexpectedthattheactualrealisationswillfullycovertheestimate。
  RevenuefromSalt。
  AconsiderablerevenuewasderivedfromtheGovernmentmonopolyofthesaltlakesintheneighbourhoodofLarnacaandLimasol。ThesaltwassoldforlocalconsumptionandforexportationtothecoastofSyria,butaninjudiciousincreasetothesellingprice,withshortweightsandincreasedcostofshipment,divertedthesupplyoftheSyriandemandfromCyprustothesaltlakesofTunis,andgraduallyreducedtherevenuefromthissource。Owingtotheexcessiverainsoflastyear,andtheinfluxofmorefreshwaterintothelakesthancouldbeevaporatedbythesun'sraysduringthesummer,thelakesareatpresentunproductive。Butintheearliermonthsofthecurrentyear,underTurkishadministration,thesumof1,756,840piastreswasrecoveredandcreditedintheTreasuryonaccountofprevioussaltdues,andthatamountisaccordinglyenteredontheestimatewithitsEnglishequivalentof15,145pounds。Nootherreceiptsareexpectedinthecurrentyear,andtherevenuefromsalthaspracticallyceased。A
  considerableoutlaywillberequiredtorepairandsecurethesaltlakesagainsttheirruptionofthedrainageofthesurroundingcountry。
  ThepastrevenuefromsaltshouldbeexcludedfromthecomputationofthepaymenttobemadetothePortefromthesurplusrevenuesofCyprus,underArticleIIIoftheConventionof4thJune,1878。
  Tosumup。HavingregardtotherevenuearrangementsconcludedbeforearrivaloftheBritishinCyprus,totherealisationsinthefirstfourmonthsofthecurrentyearunderTurkishadministration,andtothealteredconditionsunderwhichthefinanceoftheremainderoftheyearhastobeadministered,Iamofopinionthattherevenuemaybesafelyestimatedat170,000pounds,asbelow:——
  PoundsTithesonland……72,000
  Taxonproperty,professions,andtrades……22,000
  Taxonsheep……11,000
  Taxforexemptionfrommilitaryservice……9,000
  Customsduties……13,400
  Exciseontobaccoandspirits……16,850
  Saltmonopoly……15,145
  Miscellaneous……10,605
  Total……170,000
  Infutureyearseventhoughtherevenuefromthesaltmonopolybeentirelylost,wemayconfidentlyhopeforsuchanexpansionoftherevenuefromland*,*footnote:TheislandofCyprusis140milesbangfromeasttoWest,withanaveragebreadthof30miles。Thisgivesanareaof4,200squaremiles,or2,688,000acres。Assumingeven1,500,000
  acrestobeculturable,withanaveragerentalof2shillingsanacre,theshouldhavearevenuefromthissourcealoneof150,000poundsayear。fromhouses,fromcustomsandexciseduties,aswillensureatotalincomeofmorethan200,000poundsayear。
  ExpenditureofCyprus。
  TheestimateofexpenditureisbasedupontheactualcostoftheTurkishandnativeestablishmentsnowmaintained,andthecostofthenewagenciescreatedbythechangeofadministration。TheaccountofexpenditurerenderedbytheOttomanGovernmentforthepastfiveyearsgivesanannualaverageofabout24,000poundsayear。Deductingfromthisratethepayofofficialsandsubordinateestablishmentsnolongerretained,alsopensionsandcharitableallowances,andthecostforsixmonthsoftheoldZaphtiehorpoliceforcethecorrespondingchargeforthereformedpoliceforcebeingaddedtotheestimatedcostofBritishestablishments,thebalanceof1,972,000piastres,or17,000pounds,maybeacceptedasafairestimateofthechargesfornativeestablishmentsintheislandduringthecurrentofficialyear。ThechargesforBritishestablishmentsareestimatedat35,000pounds,andtheyincludeexpenses,incidentaltotheoccupationofanewcountry,thatarenotlikelytorecur。Itwillbepossible,inthefuture,toreducethescaleofchargesforBritishandnativeestablishments,asfurtherexperienceisgained,andtheentiremachineryoftheexecutiveadministrationisbroughtundereffectivecontrol。
  TheestimatedexpenditureforNativeandBritishestablishmentsmaybebroadlydividedunderthefollowingheads:——
  CentralAdministration-
  IncludingpayoftheTurkishGovernorforpartoftheyear,andoftheBritishHighCommissioner,FinancialandJudicialCommissioners,andHighCourtforremainderoftheyear……12,400
  DistrictAdministration——
  IncludingBritishCommissionersofDistrict,NativeandBritishEstablishments……13,500
  MilitaryPolice……16,500
  CustomsandExciseEstablishment……5,000
  Prisons……3,000
  Miscellaneous……1,600——
  52,000