The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-07-20 00:00:00

SOMETHING ABOUT CYPRUS.

The Standard publishes the following letter :

Sir,—Having lived for many years in the above
island as Consular agent and merchant, and finding
that very few of our countrymen are in any way
acquainted with it, I believe that you will benefit the
public by inserting this in your valuable paper.
The climate is very similar to that of Crete; the
winter is short and cold, the summer long and hot, but
not oppressively 80, on account of the sweet Mediter-
ranean breezes, which make the evenings particularly
cool; and people of regular habits will find it not only
free from sickness, but beneficial, if they do not indulge
too freely in the beautiful fruit which grows nearly
wild in every part of the island.
The English farmer will reap a good harvest, with
moderate toil and careful study of the seasons • labour
is cheap and plentiful, but the natives, like most
Orientals, are lazy and want looking after. Manures,
and artificial manures, are unknown, the soil being
rich in itself. Farmers should provide themselves
with tools, &c., before starting; but, as horses and
mules are cheap, and the surrounding countries rich
in them, English animals ought not to be taken there,
except for breeding purposes. The vines are richer
than in any other country, and when properly cul-
tivated, will supply us with the wine Homer praised so ,
much. Throughout Turkey in Europe it is used as a cure
for consumption, and the Americans have of late been
d raw in g large supplies of it. Aromatic tobacco of the most
delicate quality is extensively grown, principally for the
St. Petersburg market. Fine hard timber is plentiful,
notwithstanding the enormous quantities that have
been recklessly cut down by the Government, and a
Turin firm are now exhibiting some rare specimens in
Paris- sleepers for railway and other purposes will be
found in abundance, especially when the existing
roads are repaired and others constructed; rice, beans,
wheat, barley, olives, raisins, locust-beans, cotton,
hemp, wool, silk, beeswax, honey, madder, and beet-
root are extensively exported. The mines are rich in
copper, and a proof of gold existing is that large
pieces of the precious metal are daily washed down by
the mountain streams; capitalists will find the mines,
once worked by the Greeks and others but now
abandoned, a source of unlimited wealth. Coal is
also found, but, through lack of enterprise, the mines
have never been touched; mineral and lake salt is
abundant, and ozokerit exists not far from Lefcosia,
also at Citti.
The buildings are not worth mentioning, and accom-
modation will no doubt be in demand, but with
English builders, cheap and plentiful materials,
villages will soon grow into towns.
Intending settlers should provide themselves with a
good supply of Malta outfit, also some warm winter
clothing.
On account of the harbours being nearly useless,
also for want of breakwaters and quays, vessels lay at
a distance, and load and discharge their cargoes by
lighters, the operation being often stopped during bad
weather. The remedy of this evil now becomes a
neoessity, and should be one of the first works the pre-
sent Government undertakes.
England will supply Cyprus with every description
of goods, and merchants may rely upon getting good
returns for their capital if they select suitable articles—
coals, hardware, provisions, wines, spirits, oilmen's
stores, drapery, drugs, agricultural implements, house-
hold furniture, petroleum, glass, and other such goods,
are certain to be in great demand.
The inhabitants may be roughly estimated at 90,000,
of whom (0,000 are Greeks, 5,000 Turks, and the rest
Fellahs and Arabs. They are good-natured, honest,
quiet, and hospitable, but must be taught to work.
The principal language'is,Greek ; Turkish and Italian
being spoken by the upper classes only. I am, Sir,
your obedient servant, CYPRUS.
, July 13.

WHY ?-Mr. Spurgeon finds answering letters, espe-
cially stupid questions, a great tax. He thus remon-
strates: Why should a person be expected to pay a
penny for the great privilege of giving advice gratis,
for which he uses his own stationery and gets no
thanks ? " But there is another inquiry, behind this,
to which Mr. Spurgeon might do well to reply first of
all. Why should a pawn wawa etwid questa= at
611:4-414/4

The EMPLOYMENT of INDIAN TROOPS

In a telegram from Calcutta the correspondent of
The Times says :—" As it is very important that
native opinion should be fully realized on this subject
in order to guide future policy, I send you the follow-
ing fewshort extracts selected from innu:nerable articles
published by the vernacular Press in approbation of
the employment of the Native Army:—
"The Kham Kwas Alar says :

"The time has arrived for the native troops to acquire
great distinction. In order that the stain attainting their
fame since 1857 may now be removed, Government will begin
to place confidence in them. If war break out, they will
have to fight a civilized, disciplined army. It is to be hoped
that nothing will be left undone to win renown, and that
they soon return triumphant to India.
"The Urdu Akhbar says:— _ . . .

"There is no doubt that the subjects of Her Majesty, in
whatever part of her dominion they live, are inspired with
enthusiasm by this intelligence. It will be no difficult task
for our armies to acquire victory over the Russians now. It
is the duty of all Her Majesty's subjects to pray for the suc-
cess of the English arms.
"The Akhbar e Jammani says : _ _ _

"Brave soldiers of the Indian army, it is ordered by the
Empress of India you should go to Malta! If the enemy
wish to fight, fight bravely, and destroy their whole army.
Your ambition will now be put to the test. Cheerfully obey
the order of the Empress of India.
"The Punjabi Akhbar says:—

"We find Parliament divided even at the eleventh hour.
If the present opportwaity is lost, no good opportunity is
likely to recur again. It is very good policy on the part of
the Government to utilize the service of the native troops.
The war in Europe presents a fit opportunity of calling upon
the Pathans, Rajpoots, and Sikhs to exhibit their valour
bravely in the field. We hope in the event of war with Russia
that the native troops will be allowed to take part in it.

"The Almora Akhab says :
The Hindoo religion strictly forbids a sea voyage, and an
orthodox Hindoo will prefer death to crossing the sea; but
at the present state of affairs it is just the reverse of this.
Those native soldiers who have not been sent to the Medi-
terranean with the Indian Contingent are uneasy at heart,
and are anxiously awaiting the day when they will receive
orders. For the sake of the Government they are willing to
actin opposition to the dictates of their religion, because
they love the English Government.
"The Safir i Budhone says :

"Those regiments which have not yet received orders for
foreign service are much grieved. The soldiers who were
left behind on account of illness are very anxious. In
filling up vacancies in the regiments, where one was required
four volunteered. It is a source of delight to us that the
Government has sent native troops on an expedition to
Europe and afforded them an opportunity of exhibiting their
bravery. This is the cause of an increase of confidence and
loyalty on the part of the native troops. If success attends
their arms, they will win a good name and share the fame of
victory with the English soldiers.
"The Karnatah Wardecka says :

"This wise resolution of the Government to send native
regiments on active service out of India will inspire every
native, especially every native soldier, with joy and with
feelings of gratitude for the proof it has afforded of the
generous confidence placed in the loyalty of the natives and
the native army. Native soldiers will now have an oppor-
tunity of fighting against disciplined armies in civilized
Europe and of achieving a name. We have great pleasure
In recording the enthusiasm evinced by the native troops on
being selected for service in Europe.
"The Arunodaya says

_
"These preparations have inspired the well-wishers of
English rule with hope and enthusiasm. The native regi-
ments show so much eagerness and alacrity to join the expe-
ditionary force, every one is so anxious to show his solfaierly
qualities, that the English army is sure to gain the victory.
This eagerness of the native army of Her Imperial Majesty
supplies the strongest proof of the loyalty and fidelity of the
people. The native army has been denounced as a source of
expenditure in peace and of anxiety and danger in war; but
the enthusiasm and excellent soldierly spirit now exhibited
must bring detractors to admit that that is an error.
"The Janie Jameted says :

"English papers disapprove the expedition because Eng-
land has not hitherto employed a native army in an European
war. In Parliament, also, the objection has been raised,
but was easily disposed of. The answer was that her
Majesty the Queen possessed in her Imperial rights the
power of sending without the consent of Parliament any
subjects of the British Empire to make war in the country's
cause. The native army has gone to Malta sanguine that
the expedition will prove the falsity of the charges of dis-
loyalty. The native troops are as brave as lions in the
battle-field, but at the same time as obedient and amenable
to discipline as sheep. They never give themselves up to
apine or carnage.
"The Bast Goftar says

"This force has convinced Russia of two facts—one, that
England has formed a firm resolution to oppose her; the
other, that in the event of war England will not fight single-
handed, but will be assisted by her great dependency India,
which has already despatched in a short time a portion of
her army, and which can supply a very large force. Great
surprise has been felt that Mr. Fawcett, distinguished as a
well-wisher of India, has joined the opposition on this
matter.
"The Sent Prokash says :

" This expedition is more significant than the assumption
of the title of Empress at Delhi; it shows that the Queen
regards India as her own peculiar possession. But a few
important Englishmen reproach the people of India, yet
this despatch proves that their Sovereign both loves and
trusts the Indians, and that they are neither ungrateful nor
inhuman.
"The Grambarta Prakashika says :

"It is but right that India should in this way repay the
great benefits received The Ilindoos now have disregarded
caste, which they used to guard more jealously than their
lives. Wkat stronger proof can be given of loyalty? There
will now be no longer any distrust. Proof is given of their
satisfaction with English rule.
"The Education Gazette, referring to the opposition of
Mr. Bright among others to the participation of Indian
in European warfare, remarks that it is much surprised to
see excellent and wise Englishmen evince a kind of disgust
for people of another religion. Indian troops,' it says,
form a constituent part of the strength of the Empire.
European Sovereigns have hitherto regarded Indian troops
as a separate caste unwilling to go to Europe; now they are
undeceived, and evidence is afforded of the deep-rodted
attachment felt by the native army to the Government."