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Selected and rare materials, excerpts and observations from ancient, medieval and contemporary authors, travelers and researchers about Cyprus.
 
 
 
 
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SIR SAMUEL WHITE BAKER
CYPRUS AS I SAW IT IN 1879
page 469

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will be afforded by Turkish neglect, which has left 3 the country devoid of roads. Under these inevitable circumstances, England will probably accuse Turkey of neglecting to fulfil the A conditions of the defensive alliance, and the " back-j door " will offer a convenient exit from the difficulty ;| in which case, Turkey will be compelled to make ' terms with Russia that will probably terminate in a Russo-Turkish alliance against England, who will' be accused of having treacherously deserted heri after breaking a solemn engagement—and obtaining) Cyprus. This may be a gloomy prospect, but it is not οηβ shade darker than the reality of the position, unless the Porte will sanction the assistance of a British^ administration that would entirely change the political aspect. A reform of administration in Asia Minor to be' effective, should be based upon the judicial system pursued by the English in the courts of Cyprus—where* the Turkish laws remain undisturbed, but they are administered under the supervision of specially appointed officers. For the most part Turkish laws are based upon pure equity, and leave little to be desired beyond their faithful execution. The oppression and extortion prevalent throughout the Turkish dominions are directly contrary to the laws, and are the result of personal tyranny on the part of the authorities. In the event of a rupture with our ally that would result in a Russo-Turkish combination, Cyprus would exhibit its importance as a strategical position that would entirely command the coasts of Syria and the approach to Egypt. As I have already stated, the value of the island is conditional upon the permanence

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