CYPRUS RIOTS

Southland Times, Issue 21551, 14 November 1931, Page 5

CYPRUS RIOTS

SITUATION IN HAND

RING-LEADERS, DEPORTED WITHDRAWAL OF TROOPS (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, November 12. In the House of Commons at question time, Sir Phillip Cunliffe-I.ister made a statement on the recent events in Cypnis. He said: ‘‘The situation is now fully in hand. There are in the island two companies of troops and the normal garrison. One company and the naval parties temporarily landed have been withdrawn, the ringleaders have been arrested and ten have been deported. Many other arrests have been made. Among the civilians six were killed and 30 wounded and there have been 39 cases of injuries to the police. The comparatively small number of casualties is a gratifying tribute to the restraint exercised by the naval and military forces and by the police. The damage in addition to burning Government House at Nicosia, comprises the destruction of the Commissioner's house and plantation at Limasol, the destruction of a bridge and the cutting of the telegraph wires in the Famagusta district and the burning of the Customs sheds in the village of Pissouri. Damage was also done to a number of village police stations and other Government property. The Governor has been informed that the rebuilding of Government house shall be put in hand at once and that all Government buildings should be rebuilt as soon as possible and approval has been given to the principle that the parties found responsible for the damage should be made pecuniarily liable. Letters Patent have been approved under which the Legislative Council at Cyprus will cease to exist and power to make laws is granted to the Governor. These Letters Patent should be recorded as an emergency measure. It will be necessary after this to review the whole question of the constitutional future of the Island.