THE COSSACK RACE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 90, 9 January 1918, Page 7

THE COSSACK RACE

ITS PART IN RUSSIAN HISTORY

BORN SOLDIERS

A llussian correspondent of tlie London "Daily Telegraph" says:—

The rovolution in Russia birred national forces, which wore held in cheek previously by the severe laws of tho autocratic Government, and among those elementary forces the ancient power of the Cossacks has come to tho fore. This military race has played a significant part in llussian history. Tho Cossacks had their origin in outlaws, criminals, and adventurers. Those who committed crimes in ancient Poland, those who found their position desperate and had no chance of leading a normal life, were banished or lied to tho south-eastern part of Poland, to the banks of the river Dnieper, where on the steppes they could lead a freo life with no ono to lord it over them. Nevertheless, tljoy were useful to tlio State, because during endless struggles they kept the Polish frontiers free from tlio Tartars. They created gradually a separata race of their own; their lanjruago was Ruthenian, and their religion Orthodox. Polish Kings granted them privileges, and considered them as their troops. In the middle of tha seventeenth century a Polish gentleman adventurer named- B. Chmiclnicki became their "hotman," and ravaged Poland with fire and sword. This war nf the Cossacks resulted in their separation from Poland and their subsequent union with Russia, on the condition that their constitution and freedom would bo preserved. Onco united with Russia, tho Cossacks spread far into the Empire. Ono of them, Yermak, made an expedition on his own initiative into Siberia, conquered it for Russia, and became a Russian national hero. Thus tho Cossacks from their original abode between lho Dnieper and the Don spread to South-Eastern Russia and Siberia. Thence- there, arc in addition to tho Don Cossacks, Kuban, Ural, Siberian, and other Cossacks. But Russia, like Poland previously, often had trouble with them, and it is very characteristic that rebellions in Russia wero started usually by the Cossacks. The Cossack Stenko Razin was a terror to all Southern Russia, and in the seventeenth century he invaded the entire country from Nijni-Novgorod to Astrakhan, before lie was in 1671 captured and executed in Moscow. About thirty years later another chief of. the Cossacks, celebrated in European 'iterature, Mazeppa, joined the Swedish invaders against Russia, and at the end of tho eighteenth century yet another famous Cossack, Pugachcv, instigated mutiny, conquered many towns, and threatened Moscow with invasion. It was necessary to use a great army, under the command of General Suvorov, to crush this rebellion.

A Democratio People. Many privileges of the Cossacks were later taken from them systematically, and the discipline of a, regular army introduced. Nevertheless, many of their fundamental prerogatives and charac teristics remain. The Cossack population numbers about three millions, and every man for practically all his hfo is a soldier. They have their own military organisation and their orfn law. They are essentially a democratic people, officers and men share tlioir pastimes, and intermarriage all ranks is common. They aro very proud of their distinctive face. A Cossack asked whether lie was a Russian, said to mo indignantly, "Indeed, lam not; lam a Cossack." The Cossacks are kind-hearted at home and savage in war, pillago unci robbery being their elemont.. I -always found great hospitality in the Cossacks' "stanitsa." They offered . food. and drink with a cheerful smile, but on the plates wero stamped Polish coats of arms, the silver was Turkish, and other objects had been looted in moro distant lands during their numerous expeditions. Even two years ago it •was possible to see in Warsaw Cossacks selling their loot. Their horsemanship finds no equal except in.a circus, but their games aro often as savage as their disposition. I remember how two villages on the Don had a "game" of war, in which all the men under forty were engaged in combat. Blood was shed on both sides, one man was killed, and' several severely wounded. Tho elders from both, villages were sitting together watching this astonishing spectacle, and it was only when one party .set fire, to tho village that they intervened, and considered that the sport ought to'be stopped. Tho great value 'of the Cossacks to the Russian Army lies in their skill in scouting. Their instinct is wonderful, their alertness is highly developed, and they are bravo and intelligent. The German soldier is always afraid to meet a Cossack singly; and the German High Command, contrary to tho rules of international law, considers a Cossack to be no soldier: ho is not taken prisoner of war, but is usually shot at sight. In reply to this* the Cossacks apply the same treatment, any German captured by them is made away with at once. Of all the Russian forces the Cossacks had the best chatico of preserving their "morale" during tho Revolution, and as a matter of fact the revolution has brought nothing which could upset their usual equilibrium. The Russian Provisional Government allows tho soldiers to choose their own commanders, such being always the tradition of the Cossacks. The Russian Government abolished the death penalty, but this, again, can hardly concern the Cossacks. They havo their own ancient law, and they hang any insubordinate comrado themselves. Tho Cossack does not desert, because ho has no reason for.it; he has always- been a soldier, and will always remain one. This is why, during tho Revolution, when the entire Russian Army has _ been paralysed, the Cossacks alone did not change. They love war for war's sake, and political arguments mive_ little value for them. They obey their "ataman" becauso from their childhood they wore brought up under his discipline, and they will fight ugainst ;'!)>' forces according to his orders. In fact, they aro the only real power now existing in Russia.