Cyprus: Historical and DescriptiveLöher, Franz von
History
Cyprus: Historical and Descriptive
Löher, Franz von
Cyprus -- Description and travel; Cyprus -- History
So matters stood till the following year, when a new governor, Hafiz
Mahommed Effendi, landed; a shrewd and prudent man, who speedily
won the confidence of his people. Shortly after his arrival some of
those around him, wishing to curry favour, laid before him a list
of all those who had attacked the palace, and tried to convince him
that these should not go unpunished, if only for the sake of his own
position and dignity. After long consideration the governor at last
decided to issue an edict, announcing that he had been sent to Cyprus
for the preservation of order, and that any attempt to disturb the
same would be punished by the loss of the offenders’ heads, and that
in consideration of past events he must demand a poll-tax of fourteen
piastres from all Turks and Greeks, old men, women, and children being
excepted. After payment of this fine all was to be forgotten and
forgiven.
The Greeks were delighted to be let off so easily, but the Turks
laid their heads together and asked each other by what right the new
governor interfered with what had occurred before his time. Izil Osman
Aga had been declared an offender against the law and the Sultan,
and in executing him they had only acted as protectors of law and
justice. They therefore replied to the demand that they had only acted
as faithful servants of the Sultan in revenging themselves upon his
enemies, whilst the governor on his side responded that his dignity
would not permit of his withdrawing the edict.
On this some hundreds of the malcontents assembled in the village of
Kytherea and took possession of the mill at which corn was ground daily
for all the inhabitants of Nikosia. They also cut off the water supply
to the city. The greatest consternation prevailed, and the prudent
governor thought it best to send a deputy to Kytherea to offer to
withdraw the fine. This wise act was fully appreciated by the people,
and order and peace were once more restored. The governor, however,
felt deeply the contempt shown for his authority, and at once set
himself seriously to bring some of the higher officials to his way
of thinking. He laid in a good store of weapons and powder, and then
considering himself strong enough to maintain his authority, again
issued the edict.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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