THE OWNERSHIP OF CYPRUS.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3145, 18 March 1879, Page 3

THE OWNERSHIP OF CYPRUS.

A well authenticated report is going the round of the papers that the Government means to, buy Cyprus out and out, the purchase money being fixed at a million. It is not probable that the scheme will find favor with the economists at this particular season, when the tightness at the Treasury is felt most uncomfortably,; and the approaching Budget is anticipated with grave disquietude by the Conservative party. But it is at least certain that uuless our ownership in the island is assured, no commercial enterprises are likely to flourish there. There would be little security for English capital invested in Ottoman property. Unless some arrangement be entered into with the Porte for the final transfer of the island, there is little doubt that ere long we shall retire from it with the best grace possible under the circumstances. As it is, those who have the pleasure of " administering " the new possession appear to be growing tired of the honour. Most of the officials have left or are about to leave. Sir Garnet himself, it is said, would give worlds to escape to a mere congenial sphere ; the most prominent members of his staff are on the flit. Colonels Greaves and Braekenbury will return in tlie spring, Sir Anthony Home, the principal medical officer, has come home, Lord Gifford is about to proceed to fill a civil appointment at the Mauritius. Soon the Lord High Commissioner will be left alone in his glory with a wing of a regiment as garrison, and a number of half initiated measures to carry out as best he can by himself.—Home News.