Middle East Politics & Diplomacy, 1904-1956: "Storrs, steeped in Arabic culture for years, was accused by many Jews of being hostile, the 'evil genius' behind the High Commissioner, Sir Herbert Samuel. This campaign of vilification irked Storrs, who was sympathetic to Zionism, if not the socialist ideals of Zionist pioneers. In his memoirs he wrote 'I am still unable to understand how I did not emerge from it an anti-Semite for life.' 6 He weathered this criticism and gradually won respect in all communities. Peace hd been restored to Jerusalem by the time he left in 1926, due in some measure to his work in bringing together otherwise hostile groups in the Pro-Jerusalem Society to safeguard antiquities.
As the Governor of Cyprus from 1926 to 1932, Storrs started out winning great popularity by convincing the British government to abolish the detested tribute, the annual payments the island made to pay off a share of the Turkish debt. His appreciation of Greek culture also endeared him to the majority of Cypriots. However, he ran into bitter opposition on several fronts: trade unionists objected to his crackdown on leftist agitation and church leaders were infuriated by his Elementary Education bill of 1929, which sought to keep schools from being used t"
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
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