‘He who would become and remain a great power in the East must hold Cyprus in his hand.’ This pronouncement of a German critic, quoted at the outset of the present history, has been well tested in its course. It were fitting that it should be examined in the light of the experience afforded by the seventy years which have elapsed since Britain took over the island. Unfortunately, it is at present out of the question that such an examination should be final, for reasons of high policy have imposed the condition that it must be conducted without reference to any unpublished Government documents, and must not reflect or be influenced by any official policy such as those documents might disclose. That condition has been faithfully observed; what follows is no more than a brief recital of statements that have been publicly made by Ministers or private individuals.

In a previous chapter we set forth the varying opinions, expressed at the time of the Occupation, on the military and naval value of Cyprus. The question has never remained long in abeyance down to the present time. Thus the desirability of a naval harbour at Famagusta was mentioned by Lord Sidmouth in the House of Lords in 1895. Lord Ripon, the Colonial Secretary, in his reply said that there was no intention of creating a new naval harbour in the island. It is significant, however, that it was in this year that Joseph Chamberlain, to whose enlightened colonial policy Cyprus owes much, including the first serious attempt to improve the harbour accommodation at Famagusta, became Colonial Secretary.