Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1922-02-01
prepared BY the National Geographic So
cfety. Washington. d C1


ciety. Washington. %. c.
In their latest uprislngs against the
soviet government, the UkralnianS or
Little Russians" are but justifylng
anew a reputation as fighters that has
stuck 20 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 10 defend their title many
times. but at others they have fared
forth against the Poles the Russians
81 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
az the time Of the Russian revolution
hardly realized that there was such
distinctive section left.
The Ukraine has had a trouble
some career. The wild Scythians
helped 10 feed ancient Greece and her
colonies from It's endless steppes. A
thousand years ago Kiev was already
becoming an important place. When
the Saxons still ruled England. In the
long ago. the banks OF the Dnieper
were a meeting-place for many races,
drawn thither by commerce. Religious
differences had not yet arisen. for all
we're worshipers OF idols. Even then
a Slnv people were safely established
here. sowing and reaping their har-
vests and sending their surplus grain
down this river 20 the Black sea.
The name Ukraine means BORDER
marches" For centuries II was the
hulwark that protected Poland and
Lithuania from the Tatnrs. Turks. and
other migrating Orientals. As a re-
suit II has had cruel taskmasters.
The native population was largely
Cossacks-a Wild and unruly people
az that time. They were not original
IN a tribe. hut were men who went
forth into the wilderness 70 find free
dom. The vast steppes, covered with
grass 10 the height OF a horse. within
which a multitude OF game lurked'
lured them on.
There were Poles and Llthuanians
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
IL blended IN n unity OF purpose and
principle
Crude Republican Government.
The name Zaporoglans was applied
10 the community that was the heart
and soul ~ the great Ukraine. Their
government was crude. hut 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 81 the tribe could he
elevated 70 the highest Office, II per-
mitted each one TO aspire TO this dlg-
nifty. The highest official was known
as the "hetman." II unpopular, he was
sometimes choked 70 death-an effec-
five. Il cruel. displacement
They carried on an intermittent war
fare with Tatars on the east. stealing
their cattle and occasionally saeking
the unprotected towns. Again, their
warning excursions would be directed
against the Turks 10 the southeast, In
the Balkans. When tired Of this they
turned no-thward TO the Slavonic pop
ulation.
These early Ukrainians were ever
NJ war with somebody and fol. 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 unfrocked monk
mon the throne at Moscow. They
we're simply natural warriors who re-
,olced IN that occupation. The war
rsor shaved his head except for a wisp
on the crown, which was allowed 10
crow long enough to wind around the
ears.
Although processing the Orthodox
Greek faith. they we're the brigands
and the corsairs Of Christianity.
Though normally subjects OF Poland
FOR a long time. the Ukrainians were
constantly involving Poland IN trouble
Nth lAe Tstsr and Turkish rulers