December 1933–June 1934

9 Plutarch Street, Athens,

15 February, 1934Dear Mr.Dikaios,

On February 11th I telegraphed you and Mr.Gunnis -- hoping surely to find one or the other of you in Nicosia -- as follows: "Philadelphia inquires whether Curium available site excavations beginning April. Please wire reply Old Corinth."

Yesterday I received your answer: "Please define sites required."

In reply to this I have today telegraphed "City primarily. Any work outside adjusted to yours. Reply Athens."

If, as I hope, you reply favorably to this, I shall understand that you expect the Museum Committee to approve in principle of excavation by us on the hill of Curium, and in the vicinity so far as this may be done without encroaching on the areas in which the Cyprus Museum has had,and may expect to continue to have,notable success. I shall then be obliged, most diffidently and humbly - even shamefacedly - to ask you and Mr.Gunnis to see that the necessary steps are taken so that a permit may be issued allowing our work to begin early in April. Perhaps preparation for resumption of your own excavations in the Curium region will bring you there not long from now, in any case? That would be very good, from my point of view.

You must by now think it time that I do a little explaining. The last letters exchanged between the University Museum and me had concerned Lapithos and had been written under the presumption that there would again this year be no further funds for work for Curium, that some money had been found, that they would like it spent at Curium, and that the young man who could come as my assistant would be available for the months of April, May and June. I responded that I must inquire whether it would be possible for us to have Curium, intending to make the inquiry by letter. On the 11th I received a second cablegram asking me to Awire Cyprus authorities (& learn) whether permit possible" as Mr.McFadden (the young man who planned to come out) hoped to sail at the end of February and, naturally, would like early information. Hence my first telegram to you.

If we come now to Curium yours will probably be the more immediate responsibility, from your having awakened new interest in the region by the Illustrated London News article of December 23d. But in June 1931,(after the journey about the Island in which I began piling up indebtedness to you and Captain Gunnis), I reported Curium as one of the three most promising available sites, and it and Lapithos were the two preferred by Philadelphia between which I was to choose. I imagine that, Lapithos having been taken then, Curium may seem rightly to be chosen now for work under a new fund. Doubtless the letter sent at the same time with Mr.Jayne's cablegram will explain matters fully.