LORD ORANMORE AND BROWNEsaid, he wished to draw attention to a subject which would, doubtless, come more formally before both Houses of Parliament and form the subject of general discussion, when the negotiations between this country and Turkey came to be considered. He desired to ask a Question on a matter of detail, which was, at the same time, one of a pressing importance that they could all apprehend. A statement had gone abroad, to the effect that Cyprus was not a healthy island. Only a few days ago, The Pall Mall Gazette said, that though of immense importance by reason of its position, the Island of Cyprus appeared to be unfortunately situated so far as climate was concerned—while the cold was severe in winter, the heat in summer was described as intolerable, giving rise to a sort of malaria, which prevailed to a great extent. Certainly, the Island of Cyprus seemed an unfortunate position to have selected, seeing that its climate was so deadly, owing to excess of heat. This morning, a letter appeared in The Times, from a Member of the other House, saying that Larnaca, where our troops were now going, was the Turkish for "coffin," so deadly had the place proved to the Turkish troops in the garrison. They had to consider that many English troops were now there, or would shortly be there, as well as Indian troops, and that this was the worst season of the year, owing to the prevalence of malaria, for their occupation of such a position. Though our brave soldiers and sailors might be enabled to face the enemy here 1434 on more favourable terms, they must all recognize the fact that they could not face a deadly climate. They all knew the unfortunate result of the Walcheren Expedition. He thought it would be a great misfortune if any feeling of false pride on the part of Her Majesty's Government made them hesitate to negotiate with the Turkish Government for a more healthy station for our troops until such sanitary measures were adopted as would better prepare Cyprus for occupation. He did not wish in any way to blame Her Majesty's Government, and for this reason. We had in our Constitution this curious anomaly, that the whole responsibility of making Treaties fell upon the Government for the time being, while Parliament at the same time would not permit preparations of a military character for carrying them into effect without a reference to itself. Therefore, if any want of foresight had occurred in this matter, no great blame would attach to the Government. If the country ultimately found that the Island of Cyprus was more healthy than they had been led to believe they would be all the more satisfied; but he did not think they would like to see the Government wanting in the courage to negotiate for a more healthy station for our troops until full inquiries were made on this subject, and due provision also made for the reception of our troops and the Fleet. He begged to ask Her Majesty's Government, Whether they can contradict the statement that had appeared in some journals as to the unhealthiness of the Island of Cyprus?
THE DUKE OF RICHMOND AND GORDONI cannot admit what the noble Lord seems to infer—that there has been any want of forethought on the part of Her Majesty's Government; nor can I admit that there is any necessity to enter into any such arrangement with the Turkish Government as the noble Lord seems to recommend. The opinion which the noble Lord has formed as to the unhealthy state, as he seems to consider it, of the Island of Cyprus, is formed, I gather, from the statements of some article in The Pall Mall Gazette.
THE DUKE OF RICHMOND AND GORDONOf course, I am not able to say what are the other papers to which 1435 the noble Lord alludes. Their information, however, certainly does not coincide with that which Her Majesty's Government have had. Our information has certainly led us to believe that disease there, both as regards frequency and character, does not amount to three-fifths of the disease in Europe. I also have had the opportunity of reading one of the most eminent journals of the day—probably as well written, and having as good information, on this subject as any of those journals to which the noble Lord refers—and I will quote from it, as the noble Lord has quoted from The Pall Mall Gazette. This journal says the island might be a splendid garden; that from the extraordinary variety of its climates it might be a sanatorium for the invalids of Europe; and it would be well if the interesting experiment could be tried of establishing a European Colony there. I hope that will be found to be a more correct description of the Island of Cyprus than that the noble Lord has given.
§ EARL GRANVILLEI do not think the question will be settled by pitting one newspaper against another. Her Majesty's Government were bound, before taking such an important step as that of sending troops there, to have obtained the best official information upon the subject. The other day I asked the Question, whether there was a harbour at Cyprus? and the noble Duke answered that there was no harbour in the widest acceptation of the word, but that there was an excellent roadstead. I found that the same Question was put in "another place," and the reply was, that although there was no harbour in the technical sense, there were excellent anchorages with easy access to the shore on all sides. Now, I have had some information—I do not say it is superior to that which the Government claims—but I will mention it, in order that they may be induced to make inquiries on the subject. The information I have in regard to the harbour is, that there is no harbour at all in the popular sense of the word; that the roadsteads are quite open; and that, so far from the shores being easy of access, it is exceedingly difficult to pass from one side to another. In regard to climate, the information I have received is that both air and water are exceedingly bad, there being hardly a spring 1436 in the island, and the air being of the most pernicious character. I trust that this information is wrong; but, if there is any doubt upon it, I trust the Government will not take the step of sending both Indian and European troops there to test the wholesomeness of the air and water, without first taking some steps to make the place fit for their reception.
THE DUKE OF RICHMOND AND GORDONI regret exceedingly—it must have been my fault—that I did not make myself clear in the answer I gave to the noble Lord, or that he did not understand what I said. I divided my answer into two heads. First of all, I said that the information which Her Majesty's Government had received was to the effect that disease in the island, both as to frequency and as to character, did not relatively reach three-fifths of the disease in Europe, or even in Italy. The information which Her Majesty's Government has received is, therefore, that, on the whole, the climate is healthy. In the second place, I thought it fair, as the noble Lord had founded his statements upon a quotation from The Pall Mall Gazette, that I should quote another journal.
THE DUKE OF RICHMOND AND GORDONIf the noble Lord wishes to know the journal from which I quoted, I may say it is a well-known journal published weekly—The Spectator.