The Lehi sun. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1913-1949, 1922-01-26

oieV, Washington. d. c.
In their latest uprlslngs against the
soviet government, the Ukrainans or
Little Russians" are but justlfying
anew 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
quleted down so that casual students
at 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 Scythlans
helped to feed ancient Greece and her
colonies from Its endless steppes. A
thousand years ago Klev was already
becoming an important place. When
the Saxons still ruled England, In the
long ago, the banks Of the Dnleper
were meeting-place for many races,
drawn thlther by commerce. Religious
differences had not yet arisen, for all
we're worshlpers Of idols. Even then
a Slav people were safely established
here. sowing and reapng their har-
vests and sending their surplus grain
down this river to the Black sea.
The name Ukraine means BORDER
marches" For centuries II was the
bulwark that protected Poland and
Ljthuania from the Tatars Turks, and
other migrating Orlentals. 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 n horse, within
which multitude OF game lurked.
lured them on.
There were Poles and Lithuanlans
and Russians and even Turks among
them. They became marvellous shots,
riders. and swimmers; their horses
were famous for their swlftness and
endurance Their differences gradual
ly blended In a unity OF purpose and
principle
Crude Republican Government.
The name Zaporoglans was applied
10 the community that was the heart
and soul Of the great Ukraine. Their
government was crude. but very re-
nubllcon In form. Each year the old
officers laid down their duties In the
nresence Of general assembly even
In that day called the rada, and new
ones were then chosen.
As any member Of the tribe could be
elevated 10 the highest Office, II per
mltted each one to aspire to this dig
nitv. The highest official was known
as the "hetman.' II unpopular, he was
sometimes choked 10 death-nn enec'
five II cruel displacement
They carried on an intermittent war
fare with Tatars on the east, stealing
tbe,r cattle ard occasionally sacking
tha UNPROTECTED towns, Again. their
wearing excursions would be directed
sga,nst thu Turks to the southeast, IN
mo pgltons. When tired Of this they
,nrned northward 10 the slayonic pop
ulation. $1,000 -. o,.or
These early Ulralnians were ever
-, war with somebody and for some
hodr They fought with Poland
ogoinst Russia with Russia against
Poland with Poland against Turkey
,.I,h ,,urkey against the Tnlars' Ihey
ossIsted in placing an unfrocked monk
a 'non tbe throne at Moscow. They
,yere simply natural warriors VINO re-
,o,aod IN that occupation. The war
.ior shaved his head except for wlsp
w. tho crown. which was allowed TO
or oroy long enough TO wind around the
| ears u,o Ortbodox
c,eek faith. they were the prigahus
"'s' tho corsairs OF Christianity.
! INV ,,h nomInally subjects OF Poland
i noos lang time. the Ukrainlans were
~, oons,ontly involving Poland In trouble
.,,tb the Tatnr and Turkish ru'ES'