definition in title…deeds； which simply mentions the number of donums；
affords no means of proving an unjust extension； such terms are used as
〃the woods bounded by a hill；〃 or 〃the woods bounded by uncultivated
land；〃 and this indefinite form of expression leaves a margin of
frontier that is practically without limit； unless the invader may be
stopped by arriving within a yard of his nearest neighbour。 My
informant； Colonel Warren； R。 A。； chief commissioner of Limasol； assured
me that some holders of land in his district； whose titles show an
amount of ninety donums； lay claim to ten times the area。 There is
hardly a proprietor who does not occupy a ridiculous surplus when
compared with his title…deeds； and the encroachments are even now
proceeding。
This system of land…robbery was connived at by the officials for a
〃CONSIDERATION；〃 old title…deeds were exchanged for new on the
application of the holder； and the seals of the venal authorities
rendered them valid； at the same time that hundreds of acres were
fraudulently transferred from the state。 When the intention of a British
occupation was made public； a general rush was made for obtaining an
excess over the amount defined in the title…deeds； by the swindling
method； and the extent to which this plunder was extended may be
imagined from the fact that 40；000 such documents were awaiting the
necessary signatures when； by the arrival of the British officials； the
Turkish authority； who could not sign the deeds with sufficient
expedition； was dismissed； and the false titles were invalidated。
The monasteries and the vacouf （Turkish religious lands） lay claim to
lands of vast and undefined extent； which are mystified by titles and
gifts for charitable purposes； surrounded with clouds of obscure usages
and ancient rules that will afford a boundless field for litigation。 In
fact； the existing government has arrived at the unpleasant position of
being excluded from the land； nearly all of which is claimed either by
individuals or religious institutions。
The arrangement of this most serious question will stir up a nest of
hornets。 The equitable adjustment would demand a minute survey of the
various districts； and a comparison of the holdings with the title
deeds； but what then？ It is already known that the holdings are in
excess； and where is the legal remedy that can be practically applied？
If the actual letter of the law shall be enforced； and each proprietor
shall be compelled to disgorge his prey； there will be endless
complications。 In England； twenty…one years' uninterrupted possession；
with occupation； constitutes a valid title。 In Cyprus the extended
holdings have in many instances been inherited； and have remained
unquestioned as the acknowledged property of individuals； while in other
cases they have been more recently acquired。 The question will comprise
every possible difficulty； and can only be determined by a special
commission officially appointed for a local investigation throughout
each separate district。
This will be a labour of years； and the innumerable intricacies and
entanglements will test the patience and HONESTY of interpreters in a
country where bribery has always opened a golden road for an escape from
difficulty； while our own authorities are entirely ignorant of the
native language。 It is this lack of natural means of communication viva
voce which increases the already awkward position of high officials： the
power of speech belongs to the dragoman alone； and a great gulf exists
between the English and the Cypriote； who represent the deaf and dumb in
the absence of an interpreter。 The old song 〃We have no money；〃 is the
now stereotyped response to all suggestions for district schools； but if
we are to retain Cyprus； one of the most urgent necessities is the
instruction of the people in English。 It is not to be expected that any
close affinity can exist between the governing class and the governed；
in the darkness of two foreign tongues that require a third person for
their enlightenment。 In many cases secrecy may be of considerable
importance； and the conversation should be confined to the principals；
but the third person must invariably be present as interpreter； and
unless he is a man of the highest integrity he will not lose an
opportunity of turning his knowledge of state secrets to account for his
own advantage。 Throughout the Levant it is difficult to find men who
combine the rare qualities necessary for a confidential dragoman； such a
person would be invaluable； as he would represent all the cardinal
virtues； at the same time that he must possess a natural aptitude for
his profession； and a store of patience； with the most unruffled temper。
The natives dread the interpreter； they know full well that one word
misunderstood may alter the bearing of their case； and they believe that
a little gold judiciously applied may exert a peculiar grammatical
influence upon the parts of speech of the dragoman； which directly
affects their interests。 There are； no doubt； men of honour and great
capability who occupy this important position； at the same time it is
well known that many interpreters have been found guilty； the exceptions
proving the rule； and exhibiting the extreme danger and general
disadvantage in the ignorance of the native language。 It cannot be
expected that the English officials are to receive a miraculous gift of
fiery tongues； and to address their temporary subjects in Turkish and in
Greek； but it is highly important that without delay schools should be
established throughout the island for the instruction of the young； who
in two or three years will obtain a knowledge of English。 Whenever the
people shall understand our language； they will assimilate with our
customs and ideas； and they will feel themselves a portion of our
empire： but until then a void will exclude them from social intercourse
with their English rulers； and they will naturally gravitate towards
Greece； through the simple medium of a mother…tongue。 Limasol must
perforce of its geographical advantages become the capital of Cyprus。 As
I have already described； the port may be much improved。 The
neighbouring country is healthy； and well covered with trees； the
landscape is pleasing； and the new road opens a direct communication
with the mountain sanatorium。 The most important exports of the island
are produced within the district； and； as might be expected； the result
of commercial enterprise is exhibited in the increased intelligence and
activity of the Limasol inhabitants。 It is highly to be desired that
this favourable position should become the seat of government。 Although
the troops in 1879 are camped among the barren rocks beneath the
pine…forests upon Mount Troodos； at an elevation of about 5800 feet
above the sea； there is no necessity for a station at so extreme and
inconvenient an altitude in north latitude 35 degrees。 The general
unhealthiness of the troops upon the first occupation of the island
during the summer and autumn of 1878； determined the military
authorities to arrange the new camp at the greatest altitude practicable
with a regard to the supply of water； but the experience gained in 1879
proves that a permanent camp； or barracks； may be equally healthy at a
lower and more convenient level。 This fact would establish an additional
advantage in the selection of Limasol for headquarters； as the troops
would be in the immediate neighbourhood at all seasons。 Colonel Warren；
R。A。； who had been the prime mover in all the improvements that had been
made in Limasol since the British occupation； was promoted on 1st August
to the position of chief of the staff under Sir Garnet Wolseley's able
successor； Major…General Biddulph； C。B。； R。A。； and the district thus
lost its leading spirit。 In reforming abuses and promoting progress；
Colonel Warren had not entirely escaped the usual fate of men who are in
advance of their age。 The unflinching determination to administer the
laws without fear or favour to all classes had infringed upon the
assumed immunities of the Greek Church； which had always received
deferential consideration from the Turkish government； and although
actually liable to taxation； the right had never been enforced。 This is
a curious contradiction to the vulgar belief in Mussulman intolerance
and bigotry； the Greek Church not only enjoyed a perfect freedom under
the Turks； but the bishops were assisted in obtaining a forced tribute
from their flock by the presence of Turkish zaphtiehs （police）； who
accompanied them during their journeys through the diocese。
An interference with Church property or established rights is certain to
create a buzzing of the ecclesiastical bees； who will swarm against the
invader with every sting prepared for action。 As the case was
investigated by a special court of inquiry； and terminated； as might
have been expected； completely in favour of Colonel Warren； it is not
necessary to enter upon minute details； but； as the plaintiff was the
Bishop of Citium； and this first public attack created a peculiar
agitation that will probably be repeated； it may be interesting to
examine the actual position of the Greek Church as it existed during the
Turkish administration。
The Church in Cyprus is represented by an Archbishop and three Bishops
as the acknowledged heads。 The diocese of the former comprises Lefkosia；
Famagousta； and the Carpas districts； while the three Bishoprics are
those of Larnaca or Citium； Kyrenia； and Baffo。
The revenues of the Archbishop amount to about ？000 a year； and the
necessary expenditure for staff； schools； &c。； to ？500。 The Bishopric
of Baffo is the richest； with a revenue of about ？000； at the same time
the outgoings are small； amounting to ？00 a year for the payment of his
staff； and one…fifth of the expenses of a public school。
The Bishopric of Larnaca or Citium is valued at about ？00 a year； but
the expenditure is confined to ？00。 That of Kyrenia is about the same
as Citium。 There is no possibility of determining an exact figure； as
these revenues are dependent upon voluntary payments； which cannot be
enforced by any statute； but there is a 〃Berat〃 （decree）