CO885-(15-16) — Page 48

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22187.

No. 42.

(CYPRUS.)

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

mimmi C.O. 885

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON |

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

STR.

LAW OFFICERS TO COLONIAL OFFICE.

Royal Courts of Justice, July 10, 1900, WE were honoured with your commands signified to us in Mr. Bertram Cox's letter of the 27th ultimo, stating that he was directed to request our consideration of certain questions which had arisen with regard to a proposal of the Colonial Defence Committee having for its object the raising of an Irregular Corps in Cyprus for service with Her Majesty's Army abroad.

That Mr. Bertram Cox was to transmit to us copies of (i.) the Convention between c. 2057. Great Britain and Turkey, dated 4th June, 1878, (ii) the Annex to that Convention, (, 2229. dated 1st July, 1878, (iii.) Agreement of 14th August, 1878, as to vesting powers of Government of Cyprus in Her Majesty, (iv.) Order in Council, dated 14th September. 1878, (v.) Order in Council, dated 30th November, 1882, (vi.) Army Act, 1881, (vii.) Cyprus Ordinance 5 of 1878, (viii.) Law Officers' opinions of 21st March, 1879, and sili January, 1881.*

That it would be seen that by the Convention of 4th June, 1878 (Article 1), the Island of Cyprus was assigned to England to be "occupied and administered" by her until such time as Russia should restore to Turkey the Asiatic Possessions (Batoum, Kars, &c.) which she had taken from her in the late war.

And that by the Annex to this Convention, dated 1st July, 1878, certain conditions were imposed upon such annexation and administration, and an express provision was inserted (Article VI.) that upon such restoration of conquests as above- mentioned the island would be evacuated by England, and the Convention be at an end.

That on the 14th August, 1878, an Agreement was made transferring to and vesting in Her Majesty for the term of the occupation and no longer full powers for making laws and conventious for the Government of the Island in Her Majesty's name, and for the regulation of its Commercial and Consular relations and affairs free from control by the Sublime Porte."

**

That on the 4th September, 1878, an Order in Council was passed for making provision for the exercise of the power and jurisdiction vested by treaty in Her Majesty the Queen in and over the Island of Cyprus" by the appointment of a High Commissioner, and of Legislative and Executive Councils with the usual powers given to

a Colonial Governor.

That that Order was amended by a further Order, dated 30th November, 1882, s far as matters relating to legislation and the Legislative Council were concerned.

That it would be seen from the Despatch of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of 30th May, 1878, proposing the Convention that the intention was that the Island of Cyprus should "still continue to be part of the Ottoman Empire," and it was there stated what were the reasons which led Her Majesty's Government to desire to

cupy the island,

That Mr. Bertram Cox was further to transmit to us copies of previous opinions* .L.O. Re- of the Law Officers with regard to the position of the natives of Cyprus,

porta,

That Mr. Bertram Cox was further to refer us to the Army Act, 1881 21 Mar.. (14 & 45 Vict. c. 58), sections 95, 177, and 190 (8) and (23), which latter section 1879, an included Cyprus in the definition of “Colony," and to Cyprus Ordinance 5 of 1878. 8 Jan., 1881.

Finally, he was to request us to take the papers into our consideration, and to advise you whether the conditions under which Great Britain occupied the Island of Cyprus would permit of the passing of an Ordinance in Cyprus for the purpose of raising a force which would be liable to serve with Her Majesty's Army in any part of the work).

We have taken the papers into our consideration and in obedience to your commands have the honour to

6364—26—7/1900 Wt 324 D & S-5

Nos. 196A and 244 in Vol. III.

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