Norwich bulletin., 1915-09-16

Kief is the wealthiest, most import
ant and largest city in the immediate
path of the Teutonic invaders. and one
of the oldest and most important of
RussiaIs towns. A ptatement given
out by the National Geographic Soci-
ETY. recently describes this place. the
famed mother OF Russian cities,
which IS now threatened by the south
ward sweep OF the Austro-German
armies from Kovel and Lutzk. and by
the eastward advance OF the Austrians
in Galicia.
'Kief is beautifully situated on the
board Dnieper among a cluster OF
| golden hills. There are other cities
| in Russia to dispute its claim of be-
but it is the undisputed cradle Of Or
/ thodoxy, the birthplace of Russia s
Church, and II Is still a first religious
center. Holy Kief Is known as the
Russian Jersusalem- II is city Of
many churches, monaSteries, sacred
relics and of numerous saints More
than a quarter of a million pilgrims
have regularly visited the holy city
each year during times of peace. AS
a place of pilgrimage, Russian kiet
ranks with Mecca, with Jerusalem and
with Rome.
ut Is a prosperous city. a modern
and a progressive one In it's newer
parts. the streets are broad and
straight, and are built up with nnt
homes and public buildings In tht
old quarter, there are modern build
ings from three to six sotrtes high
which is a rare thing In Russia. The
Krostchatik Is a splendid thorough
fare, cut upon the most approved Of
western city plans. However, like Pet
rograd, the wide. regular streets OF the
southern metropolis are heritage iron
the founders
Take away the churches, with thei
turnip, pineapple and pear-shapes
domes. take away the pilgrims and tn
visiting peasants. and Rief has lttti'
, that Is typically Russian. With tn
growth of It's industry and commerce
Il has adopted the modern city habit.
habit which is the same the worlI
around.
Despite its obtrusive newness. Kie
} Is an ancient city. Its fortunes. hav
; been intimately connected with tn
/ fortunes OF Russia. 1t was founde
! about the beginning OF the seventh
: century. and its authentic history be
4 gins with the arrival of the two Scan
> dinavian knights, Askold and Dyl
Y who left Novogorod to take possession
OF IL. Kief early became Christian. an
) the Greek faith was carried to the res
a of the Russians from here. In the lit
4 century, there are said to have bee
s 400 churches within its walls. The re
e lations between Byzantlum and Kie
4 were close. and much Of the Gree
culture that has mixed itself wit
Russian life entered the empire by wa
o of this city.
'.Rief has been badly battered
d more than 900 years Of wars and in
{ ternal disorders. but IL has had q saw
a ing way of quickly covering UP II
= wounds and beginning afresh with re
Q doubled courage. At one time, II wa
: the capital of the Russian State
: was subject for more than two genera
e lions to the mongols. when II fell
: the possession OF the Lithuanian prir
d cipality for z39 years. For IS year
II Il was under the sway OF Poland, an
. was finally reunited to Russia in 1e3
II 1t is by far the most important cit
J. in the Ukraine.
The city lies on the right. or we
bank of the Dnieper. in the midst of
n fruitful region, which. during recei
7. years. has been making rapid pr
s gress. II Is 62s miles southwest
: Moscow by rail. and 406 miles by ra