CYPRUS REVOLT

Wairarapa Daily Times, 24 October 1931, Page 5

CYPRUS REVOLT

PRECIPITATED BY BISHOP GRAVE SITUATION. Press Association Electric Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, Friday. The serious Nationalist rising in Cyprus on Wednesday night started' when three elected members of the local council headed a large- procession, which demonstrated before Government House, shouting, "Out with the foreigner ! ” "Down, with tyrants! ” "Up union with Greece!” , The demonstrators got out of hand, stoned, and then set fire to Govern,-., ment House. The movement of revolt was precipitated by a bishop of the local Greek., Orthodox Church, who, accompanied by : the mayors and leading citizens of , several towns, headed an anti-British demonstration, pleading a religious rising against the British occupation. Church bells were rung, and the. streets echoed with the shouts of the demonstrators all night long.

The police made baton charges when warnings failed, to; disperse the mob. Finally the police fired, woundiiig several.

The trouble spread to otjicr towus. The women and children at Famagusta were evacuated to the. ships in the harbour. All the English officials and their families in Nicosia are taking refuge in police headquarters.

The situation is still grave. British warships are due to-morrow and are eagerly awaited. LIGHTING TORCH OF REVOLT. (Received Saturday, 6.45 a.m.) LONDON, Friday. The Colonial Office has issued a statement that the situation in Cyprus has calmed since the arrival of warships, though it still :is unsettled. The cruisers London and Shropshire and tlio destroyers Aeasta and Chattes, have arrived at various ports in Syprus. The rebels have little ammunition or money, and it is believed that the display of naval, military and sir powerwill quickly cool their tempers. The agitation is further likely to be carried on in the hope of inducing British concessions, especially in taxes.. The Cvprus Government is enforcing n censorship, and code telegrams are accepted only if the key is supplied, enabling the contents to be deciphered. "In the name of God and the Fatherland,” the Greek Orthodox Bishop of Larnaca, raising the cross at Limasol to-day, appealed to a mass meeting at the Stadium to fight for union with ' Greece, thus lighting tlio torch of revolt, which has spread throughout Cyprus. - 'Police, and soldiers have erected barbed wire barriers around the Government offices at Nicosia, and told the threatening mob that they will not hesitate to answer violence with bullets. The malcontents soon dispersed, ATTITUDE OF GREECE. (Received Saturday, 9.45 a.m.) ATHENS, Friday. The differences betwee'n the people of Cyprus and Britain cannot create a conflict between Britain and Greece, declared M. Nichala Popoulos, the Greek Foreign Minister. He said that the Government did not encourage or support, directly or indirectly, the Cvprus manifestations. /