The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1922-03-16

prepared by the National Geogra phic So
ciety. Washington. ID. CO
In their latest uprislngs 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
quoted down so that casual students
ii: the time Of the Russian revolution
hardly realized that there was such a
distinctive section left.
The Ukraine has had trouble
some career The wild Scythians
helped to 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 meeting-place for many races,
drawn thither by commerce. Religious
differences had not vet arisen. for all
were worshipers of idols. Even then
a Slav people were safely established
=, here. sowing and reaping their har-
grain
J down this river to the Black sea.
The name Ukraine means "border-
marches" For centuries 1t was the
bulwark that protected Poland and
Lithuania 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
" 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,
! lured 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 swftness and
endurance Their differences gradual
" blended In a 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 sailed the rada. and new
ones wefs then chosen.
As any member of the tribe could be
elevated to the highest office, it per-
mitted each one to aspire TO this dig
nifty. The highest official vas known
as the "hetman." If unpopular, he was
sometimes choked to death-an effec-
tive, If cruel, displacement.
They carried on an intermittent war
fare with Tatars on the east, stealing
their cattle and occasionally sacking
the unprotected towns. Again. their
warning excursions would be directed
against the Turks to the southeast, IN
the Balkans. When tired OF this they
turned northward to the Slavonic pop
ulatiOn.
These early Ukrainians 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 unfrocked monk
upon the throne at Moscow. They
were simply natural warriors who re
toiced In that occupation. The war
rior shaved his head except for wfsp
on the crown, which was allowed to
grow long enough to wind around the
ears.
Although processing the Orthodox
Greek faith, they were the brigands
and the corsairs of Christianity
Though nominaily subjects of Poland
for n long time. the Ukrainians were
constantly Involving Poland in trouble
with the Tatar and Turkish rulers