existed as a most important harbour； therefore he is not experimenting
upon an unknown bottom。 The line of reefs affords the engineer's chief
desideratum； 〃a sound foundation；〃 and the materials for his concrete
blocks are close at hand in the chaotic mass of stone now choking with
ruins the area of the city； in the neighbouring ruins of Salamis； and；
nearer still； in the native rock from which Famagousta has been
quarried。 The island of Santorin from whence the pozzolano is supplied
for hydraulic cement； is only three days distant。 Few places possess in
so high a degree the natural advantages for becoming a first…class
harbour； and it has been computed that about 300 acres of water can be
converted into a wall…locked basin； with an entrance from the south
that would be secure during all weathers。 The Bay of Famagousta is
extremely deep； exceeding 150 fathoms which affords an additional
facility for getting rid of the contents of the lighters； as the mud
from the dredgers could be discharged at sea without danger of its
return。
All competent persons who have examined the present harbour are
unanimous in the opinion that 〃a very moderate outlay would secure a
first…class port； which would； as an impregnable coaling…depot and
arsenal； complete the links of the chain of fortresses which are the
guardians of the Mediterranean。 In a war with any maritime Power the
first necessity is an uninterrupted line of fortified coaling…stations；
at intervals not exceeding five days' steaming at ten knots。 A naval war
will depend entirely upon the supply of coal； which will in all
probability be declared 〃contraband of war。〃 In the absence of a
dependable chain of stations THROUGHOUT THE WORLD； the action of the
most powerful cruisers will be extremely limited； as they will be
rendered helpless when their supply is reduced to the minimum sufficient
to carry them to a friendly port。
Where oceans must be traversed； the difficulty will be increased； as the
coal…capacity of the vessel will only command a given mileage； she will
therefore be in her weakest condition after a long voyage； and as her
fighting power must depend upon her steam； precisely as the strength of
man depends upon his food； she must be absolutely certain of obtaining a
supply of coal in every sea where her presence is required。
Should the most powerful vessel afloat； after a long cruise during which
she has encountered head…winds and weather that had caused delay and a
great consumption of fuel； be reduced to only a few hours' steaming； she
would be at the mercy of an inferior antagonist whose bunkers might be
well filled。 The commerce and the colonies of Great Britain demand the
presence of our vessels in every sea； the greater part of that enormous
carrying…power is now represented by steamers which have replaced the
sailing…vessels of old： therefore in the event of war we must possess
coaling…depots which in case of necessity could meet the demands of any
of our ships； whether naval or commercial。
The attention of the usually far…seeing public is seldom directed to
this important question of coaling…stations； but an examination of a
recently constructed globe will discover the apparently insignificant
red dots which represent the dominant power of England in every portion
of the world。 The smallest island may become the most impregnable and
important coaling…depot。 It is the fashion for some modern reformers
（happily few） to suggest a curtailment of the British Empire； on the
principle that 〃by pruning we should improve the strength of the
national tree。〃 If there are rotten boughs； or exhausting and useless
shoots； the analogy might be practical； but if we examine carefully a
map of the world it would puzzle the Royal Geographical Society to
determine the point that we should abandon。 An example of temporary
insanity was displayed in the evacuation of Corfu； which would under our
present foreign policy have become invaluable as a powerfully fortified
coaling…station； commanding the entrance of the Adriatic and the
neighbouring seas。 It is this unfortunate precedent which is paralysing
all the natural elasticity of commercial enterprise in Cyprus； as the
inhabitants and English alike feel their insecurity； and hesitate before
the uncertain future； which may depend upon a party vote in the distant
House of Commons。
There can be no doubt that Cyprus or Crete was requisite to England as
the missing link in the chain of our communications with Egypt。 As a
strategical point； Cyprus must be represented by Famagousta； without
which it would be useless for the ostensible purpose of its occupation。
Many persons of great practical experience would have preferred Crete；
as already possessing a safe harbour in Suda Bay； with a climate
superior to that of Cyprus； while according to our assumed defensive
alliance with Turkey in the event of a renewed attack by Russia； we
should have acquired the advantage of Cyprus whenever required； without
the expense or responsibility； and we should in addition have
established a station on the coast of Asia Minor at the secure harbour
afforded by the Gulf of Ayas at Alexandretta。
These geographical questions are a matter of opinion； but now that we
actually have occupied Cyprus it is absolutely necessary to do
something。 Without Famagousta； the island would be worthless as a naval
station； with it； as a first…class harbour and arsenal； we should
dominate the eastern portion of the Mediterranean； entirely command the
approach to Egypt； and keep open our communications with the Suez Canal
and the consequent route to India。 In the event of the Euphrates valley
line of railway becoming an accomplished fact； Cyprus will occupy the
most commanding position。 But； all these advantages will be neutralised
unless Famagousta shall represent the power of England like Malta and
Gibraltar。 The more minutely that we scrutinise the question of a
Cyprian occupation； the more prominent becomes the importance of
Famagousta； with it； Cyprus is the key of a great position； without it；
the affair is a dead…lock。
There is unfortunately a serious drawback in the extreme unhealthiness
of this otherwise invaluable situation； Famagousta； which would at
present render it unfit for a military station。 There are several
causes； all of which must be removed； before the necessary sanitary
change can be accomplished。 The vast heaps of stones； all of which are
of an extremely porous nature； have absorbed the accumulated filth of
ages； and the large area now occupied by these ruins must be a fertile
source of noxious exhalations。 During the rainy season the surface
water； carrying with it every impurity； furnishes a fresh supply of
poison to be stored beneath these health…destroying masses； which cannot
possibly be cleansed otherwise than by their complete obliteration。 It
may be readily understood that the high ramparts of the walls to a
certain extent prevent a due circulation of air； which increases the
danger of miasma from the ruin…covered and reeking area of the old
Venetian city。 Should the harbour works be commenced； all this now
useless and dangerous material will be available for constructing the
blocks of concrete required for the sea…wall； and the surface of the
town will be entirely freed from the present nuisance without additional
expense。 The few modern buildings should be compulsorily purchased by
the Government； and entirely swept away； so that the area inclosed by
the fortification walls should represent a perfectly clean succession of
levels in the form of broad terraces； which would drain uniformly
towards the sea。 Upon these purified and well…drained plateaux the new
town could be erected； upon a special plan suitable to the locality； and
in harmony with the military requirements of a fortified position。 The
value of the land thus recovered from the existing ruin would be
considerable； and； if let on building leases； would repay the expense of
levelling； draining； and arranging for occupation。 In this manner one of
the prime causes of the present unhealthiness would be removed； by the
same operation； the ditch of the citadel would be pumped dry； and all
communication shut off from the sea； which now produces a stagnant and
offensive pool； breeding only reeds； mosquitoes； and malaria。
We now arrive at the most formidable origin of the Famagousta feverthe
marshes caused by the overflow of the Pedias river。 The description that
I have already given of the delta formed by the deposit of mud during
inundations； and the total absence of any exit for the waters by a
natural channel； will convey to the minds of the most inexperienced an
extreme cause of danger。 I can see only one practicable method of
surmounting this great difficulty。 The Pedias river must be conducted to
the sea through an artificial channel； and it must （like the Rhone） be
confined between raised banks of sufficient height to prevent any chance
of overflow； and of a width arranged to produce a rapid current； that
will scour the bed and carry the mud to deposit far beyond the shore。
This work would be expensive； but； on the other hand； the collateral
advantages would be great。 The land； which is now almost valueless；
owing to the uncertainty of inundations； would be rendered fruitful； and
by an arrangement of cattle…wheels the irrigation could always be
ensured； as the water exists within five feet of the present surface。 At
this moment； neither drains are made； nor any control of nature is
exercised by the fever…stricken population； who trust entirely to the
uncertain chances of the seasons。 We have an example in the original
fens of Lincolnshire； which； by a system of drainage； have been brought
into agricultural value； a series of large and deep open ditches； such
as are seen in every marsh or river…meadow throughout England； would
not only drain the surface of the Famagousta delta； but would supply the
water； to be raised by cattle…lifts and wind…pumps； for the purposes of
irrigation。 There is much work for the agricultural engineer； but if
this important enterprise is seriously commenced the future results will
well repay the outlay。
Some persons ha