STILL UNSETTLED

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 100, 24 October 1931, Page 13

STILL UNSETTLED

— « NO CASUALTIES REPORTED

STATEMENT BY MINISTER

(British Official Wireless.)

(Received 24th October, 11 a.m.)

RUGBY, 23rd October.

A further Colonial Office statement on the Cyprus situation reports disturbances in Paphos and riots in Limasol, where the Commissioner's houso was burnt, but no casualties arc reported. The situation calmed down on the arrival of naval vessels this morning, and is stated to bo smoothing over generally, though still unsettled. No casualties are reported other than those in Wednesday night's riots, though one rioter has since died of his injuries. The statement refers to certain political leaders of the agitation for union with Greece, who for some time have maintained an obstructive attitude to the Government and are now making desperate attempts to obtain publicity for their cause in order to break down tho tendency towards understanding and co-operation, for which the Government has been working. For this purpose the criminal propensities of certain elements in the population have been exploited, and on' this occasion tho situation passed completely beyond the control of the instigators. The Governor, Sir Ronald Storrs, this morning telegraphed the military authorities in Egypt cancelling tho dispatch of a further company of infantry to Cyprus. The Colonial Minister, Mr. J. H. Thomas, interviewed to-day, said that,' although the reports were serious and showed that sinister influences were at work, which required to be dealt with very firmly, there was no causa for apprehension and tbe situation was well in hand. His latest Information was reassuring.