REVOLT IN CYPRUS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 53, 24 October 1931, Page 3

REVOLT IN CYPRUS

(Press Assn.-

GREEK SYMPATHISERS RISE AGAINST BRITISH GOVERNMENT GOVERNOR'S HOUSE BURNT

— By Telegraph — Copyright).

LONDON, Thursday. The Governor of Cypres has sent a wireless message to the admiral at Malta for naval assistance to quell grave Nationalist riots, which are presumably the outcome of the Nationalist agitation for union between Cyprus and Greece. A Cairo message says that Egypt has been requested to send military help to Cyprus. The tardiness with which the news of the upheaval in Cyprus leaked out was due to the closing of the cable stations, except Larnaca, owing to the mob's threats. At Larnaca the operators sent out messages with revolvers in their hands. The centre of the disturbance was Nieosia (the capital), where the Governor's residence was burned, but the troops and police quickly restored order. The pro-Greelcs are still disorderly at Famagusta, to which place troops are hurrying. The Governor, Sir Ronald Storrs, sent requests to Egypt and Malta for assistance. It is understood there was an immediate response from the fleet, a troop-carrying plane landing 50 marines within a few hours. Others will embark at dawn from Alexandria. Luckily the Mediterranean fleet is eoneentrated at Crete, from which H.M.S.'s Shropshire, London, Chester, and Achates sailed immediately. Unconfirmed reports state that the population has definitely declared for union with Greece. The Cyprus rising began on Wednesday night, when three elected members of the local council headed a large procession which made a demonstration before Government House, shouting "Out with the foreigner! Down with the tyrants! Up with union with Greece!" Tbe demonstrators got out of hand and threw stones and later set fire to Government House. The revolt movement was precipitated by the bishop of the local Orthodox Church,- who, accompanied by the mayors and leading citizens of several towns, headed an anti-British demonstration, pleading for a religious rising against British occupation. The situation is still grave and the warships, which are due to-morrow, are eagerly awaited.