The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-06-04
Ancient Cyrus Flourishes
 Under Rule of Great Britain


 In the warfare Of the allies against the Turks the island of Cyprus, lying south of Asia Minor, and the most easter1y of Mediterranean islands, has played important role. The inhabitants of Cyprus will celebrate today the thirty-seventh anniversary of the establishment of British rule and the overthrow of Turkish au- thority. Wheat, barley, oats, olives and cotton, and many varieties of fruits, are the principal products of the island, which forms a convenient source of supply for the allied forces fighting against Turkey.
 After thirty-seven years of the British regime, Cyprus has again be- come 8 prosperous and productive country. The population has in creased from 135,O00 to about 25O,- 900, and it is quite possible that with in a century the island may support a population of a, million, which was the figure said to have been reached during the palmy days of the Vene- tian control of the island in the fif- teenth century.
 Cyprus was turned over to Great Britain for administration on June 4, 1878, although the island was not formally transferred from Turkey to England until about two years ago. From a barren, filthy spot. to which it had been reduced during. centuries 
 again become a. garden spot. Insuf- ficient water during the summer months, and frequent Visitationsf of 1ocusts, are all that prevent Cyprus from becoming one of the richest and most fertile lands of the world. Un- der the English control the people have been given Q. legislature, many elementary and high schools, and na- tive courts. About two-thirds of the people are adherents of the Greek Cath olic church, and the remainder are Moslems In the early days of the British occupation the authorities found it difficult to keep the peace between the warning sectss but, now that both religions have been placed upon an equality and freedom of re- Hgion is guaranteed the Christians and Mohammedans get along nicely together.
 The acquisition of Cyprus by Great Britain was due to the diplo- nnatic genius of DisraeH. The trans fer of authority caused a. great stir throughout Europe, for many powers had ambitions in that direction. Lo- cated near the coasts of Asia. Minor and Syria, Cyprus possesses strategi- cal advantages which render it valuable beyond it's great agricultural possi Abilities.
 Cyprus has an area of 3,67S square miles. It's two mountain ranges are
  ests,. and the land in the valleys is esteemed the most fertile in the Levant. The ancients found copper, silver and precious stones in Cyprus. In ancient times it was held by the Phoenicians, the Egyptians. the Per sians and the Romans. It was said to have been visited by Paul and Barna- bas. In the seventh century it was seized by the Arabs, but was recov- cred by the Greeks Tn the twelfth century Richard the Lion Hearted, while on his way to the third crusade, captured the island. The English monarch later sold Cyprus to Guy de Lusignan,t ex-King of Jerusalem. Tn the fifteenth century one of King Guys descendants sold it to Venice. Under the venetians Cyprus bIos- somed as the rose and had an inn portant commerce. In 1870 it was conouered by the Turks, who treated the people with great barbarity, and for more than three centuries Cyprus was given over to massacre and mis- rule.