Constructing Ionian identities: the Ionian Islands in British official ...

Storks, while having “protectorate” status forced on them by a European treaty
neither they nor Britain could change.
Storks tried to place the Ionian Islands in the same position as a colony.
Working with his secretary, Drummond Wolff, they collated a selection of objects,
including hand made art crafts and agricultural products, to show in London’s
International Exhibition, hoping this display of Ionian products would have “a
beneficial effect on their future prosperity”. 68 The Colonial Office were pleased they
had received “anything bright from the Ionian Islands”, and believed the focus on
promoting Ionian industry was a “move in the right direction” towards retaining the
Islands in the Empire and proof “of the good will of the Protecting states”. 69
Storks experimented with other policies to strengthen the Ionian/British
relationship. One of his first actions as Governor was to establish a Commission of
Inquiry into the Islands’ public services to correct the inefficiencies and abuses in the
Ionian administrative machine and “infuse a healthier and more vigorous action” in
all public departments. 70 When the Committee concluded there were limited public
vacancies and great numbers of educated Ionian youth seeking them, Storks
supported proposals for their absorption into Ionian and British public service. 71
Storks advocated their admission into British military service, the appointment of
Ionians in the medical department of British services and, late in his tenure, the
68 Storks to Newcastle, 14 February 1862, CO 136/177.
69 See minutes in Storks to Newcastle, 14 February 1862, CO 136/177; Newcastle to Storks, 20
February 1862, CO 136/177.
70 Storks to Lytton, 14 March 1859, CO 136/165; Storks to Lytton, 11 April 1859, CO 136/165; Wolff
to Gladstone, 23 August 1859, Gladstone Papers, Add. MS 44392.
71 Storks to Lytton, 11 April 1859, CO 136/165.
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