第11章

类别:其他 作者:Sir Samuel W。 Baker字数:24627更新时间:18/12/21 14:30:49
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,(whoaredearoldpeoplewhenclean)willceasetowash,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。,ofLimasol(nowpromotedtoChiefoftheStaff);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;thenthecaza(canton);thenthesandjak(arrondissement);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。 Thesaleofthetithes(byvillages,nahies,orcazas,asmaybepreferred)commencesinMarchandendsonthe15thJune,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。Theareasrespectively(1)undercultivation,(2)notundercultivationbutculturable,(3)unculturableandbarrenwaste。 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。AndinCyprus(ashasbeenshownintheprecedingremarks),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,andtothelandsandotherpropertyinCyprusclaimedfortheOttomanCrownandState(underArticleIVoftheConventionbetweenGreatBritainandTurkey)areatpresentthesubjectofaspecialinquiry,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。Theaccountofthelastyearoftheseries(1877-78)showedarevenueof3,193,850piastres,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,andthecostforsixmonthsoftheoldZaphtiehorpoliceforce(thecorrespondingchargeforthereformedpoliceforcebeingaddedtotheestimatedcostofBritishestablishments),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