The year came to a close with an encouraging telegram to the Secretary of State by US Consul in Cyprus, Taylor Belcher:
Greek Community joyfully heard the news yesterday that death sentences commuted to life imprisonment for 6 remaining Greek Cypriots convicted under emergency regulations. This makes total 23 Greek Cypriots reprieved during emergency in which 9 have been hanged. Since April 1, 1955 more than 600 have lost their lives, 142 of them being British.