The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1922-01-26

prepared by the National Geographic So
clety. Washington, ID. c.
In their latest uprslngs against the
soviet government, the Ukrainians or
Little Russians" are but justifying
anew a reputation as fighters that has
stuck to them since the dawn of Eu-
ropean history. Theirs is one of the
richest sections Of the old Russian
empire and not only have they been
called upon To defend their title many
times. but at others they have Jared
forth against the Poles, the Russians
of The North. the TatarS and the
Turks, seemingly for the mere JOY Of
fighting
In recent years the Ukraine has
quieted down so that casual students
at the time Of the Russian revolution
hardly realized that there was such
distinctive section left
The Ukraine has had trouble
some career The wild ScythianS
helped to feed ancient Greece and her
colonies from its endless steppes. A
thousand years ago Kiev was already
becoming an important place. When
the Saxons still ruled England, I'm the
long ago, the banks OF the Dnieper
were a meeting place for many races,
drawn thther by commerce. Religious
differences had not yet arisen, for all
were worshipers of idols. Even then
Sav people were safely established
here, sowing and reaping their har-
vests and sending their surplus grain
down this river to the Black sea.
The name Ukraine means BORDER
marches" For centuries it was the
bulwark that protected Poland and
Lithuana from the Tatars, Turks, and
other migrating Orientals. AS re-
suit II has had cruel taskmasters.
The native population was largely
Cossacks--a wild and unruly people
at that time. They were not original
ly tribe, but were men who went
forth into the wilderness to find free
dom. The vast steppeS, covered with
grass to the height of a horse, within
which a multitude OF game lurked
Iured them on.
There were Poles and Lithuanians
and Russians and even Turks among
them. They became marvellous shots,
riders, and swimmers their horses
were famous for their swiftness and
endurance. Their differences gradual
ly blended in unity Of purpose and
principle
Crude Republican Government.
The name Zaporogians was applied
to the community that was the heart
and soul of the great Ukraine. Their
government was crude, but very re-
publican In form. Each year the 'old
officers laid down their duties in the
presence of a general assembly, even
in that day called the rada, and new
ones were then chosen.
AS any member Of the tribe could be
elevated to the highest Office, Il per-
mitted each one to aspire to this dig
nifty. The highest official was known
as the "hetman.' If unpopular, he was
sometimes choked to death--an effec-
tive, II cruel, displacement.
They carried on an intermittent war
fare with Taiars on the east, stealing
their cattle and occasionally sacking
the unprotected towns. Again. their
warning excursions would he directed
against the Turks to the southeast, In
the Balkans. When tired Of this hey
turned northward TO the Slavonic pop
ulation.
These early Ukrainiant were ever
at war with somebody and for some
body. They fought With Poland
against Russia. with Russia against
Poland, with Poland against Turkey,
with Turkey against the Tatars. They
assisted In placing an unfit ocked monk
upon the throne at Moscow. They
were simply natural warriors who re-
joiced in that occupationA The war
rior shaved his head except for wisp
on the crown, which was allowed 10
grow long enough to wind ,tround the
ears.
Although processing the Orthodox
Greek faith. they we're the brigahds
and the corsairs of Christianity.
Though nominally subjects OF Poland
for long time. the Ukrainians were
constantly involving Poland, in trouble
with the Tatar and Turkish rt1ldrS.