THE TROOPS AT CYPRUS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1457, 17 October 1878, Page 3

THE TROOPS AT CYPRUS.

The telegram from Sir Anthony Home which (he War Office has communicated to newspapers does not supply as complete an account as could be wished of the health of the troops at Cyprus ; but, even as far as it goes, it amounts to an admission of the inaccuracy of the information previously furnished. It is to the following effect: — “ Health of troops generally much improved in camp and at Larnaca ; ninety-nine sick in 166 men. The 42nd, 980 at Kerynia, not included in statement; believed to have very few sick. No return received, but report says barely any Royal Engineers at Nicosia. The most unhealthy part of the force, twenty-six in about 180 men, cases severe. Since landing the force has lost eight men by death—sunstroke, three ; fever, three ; cancer, one; dysentery, one.” It will bo seen that this report does not cover the whole strength of the British forces, and that it does not purport to speak with certainty upon more than a portion even of the troops to which it relates. Among those at Larnaca the sickness rate appears now to have fallen to 7 per cent; but if the health of the troops can be described under these conditions as “much improved,” it becomes more difficult than ever to divine the source of the information received by Colonel Stanley on this subject a fortnight ago. As to the 42nd, which is “ believed to have very few sick,” it is, if wo remember right, the regiment which was represented in unofficial reports as having suffered the most; and there is reason to fear, therefore, that the “ belief ” referred to may have no very stable foundation. It is, of course, satisfactory to learn that only eight men have been lost by death ; and wo may hope that the “ severe cases ” reported as existing in the most unhealthy part of the force, where the sickness rate is as high as 14 per cent., will not add materially to this list of deaths. But the question was not as to losses by death, but as to disablements by disease ; and it seems very strange and very unsatisfactory that there should have been so much difficulty in getting at the truth.