The Daily News. MONDAY, MAY 13, 1918. UKRAINIAN TROUBLES.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 May 1918, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, MAY 13, 1918. UKRAINIAN TROUBLES.

Whither is Ukraine drifting? Driven by the anarchial Bolsheviks to seek protection from Germany she-finds that the hoped for safety is akin to that of the fly who entered, t>y invitation, into the spider's domain. Germany was not only willing, but eager to take Ukraine under her wing, because she wanted foodstuffs as speedily as possible. Ukraine is larger in area than the German Empire in Europe; and is the most fertile portion of Russia, while besides being the principal wheat area, it has been the producer of more than fifty per cent of Russian coal and iron. The awakening of the Ukrainians Jo Hu n methods of tyranny and brutality was not long ir. coming in the shape of acts of violence, arrests, and the high-handedness of von Eicliorn and von Sehwartzenstein, who invented all sorts of flimsy excuses for their savage conduct. As a consequence the revolt against German domination has become so strong that the Rada has even lost the support of the bourgeoisie, and a protest has l>een sent by the Ukrainian Government

to Berlin indicating that it will resign unless the German Government recalls von Eiehorn (the military commander), von Schwartzenstcin (Ambassador), and other officers. According to 'Mr. Harold Williams, who was formerly the Daily Chronicle's correspondent at l'etrograd, the Ukraine Government is distinctly anti-German, and M. Rkoropadski, who has proclaimed himself Iletman of all the Ukraine, dissolved the Kada, annulled its decrees and dismissed the Ministers and under secretaries, is a soldier, wholly innocent of politics. The German raid on Ukrainian food supplies is meeting with strong opposition, bands of revolutionaries having seized whole trains loaded with corn going to Germany. Having established pro-Ger-man Government in the Ukraine, the Germans point Wank refuse to stop the military operations there, while it is stated that Ukrainian divisions have been disarmed. It is evident that the Ukrainians a» paying dearly for their rashness in trusting tc Germany, and that they are anxious to put an end to the pressure of the iron heel, hut they will find that the Germans will only retire when compelled by.superior force, and will, meanwhile, spoil the country. Whither will Ukraine drift? Back to Russia or into the arms of AustriaHungary? Time will tell. The population is estimated at thirty-five millions, including the Austrian Ruthenes (Little (Russians), as well as the Russian Ukrainians, and they claim that their language is a s different from Great Russian as is Portuguese from Spanish, while thoir separation movement was encouraged by Austria-Hungary. The Ukrainians and the Bolsheviks have no interests in common, for the latter are hitter enemies to the bourgeoisie, whose prosecution under Lenin drove the Ukrainians into Germany's power. Apparently, it is still an ppen question whether Ukraine will drift Russia-wards or be attracted to Austria-Hungary. The choice of .evils is somewhat perplexing. There is said to be a considerable Austro-Hnngarian section desirous of being at neighborly peace with Ukraine, and it might he possible to secure the friendship and protection of the dual monarchy, but against this is the fact that Germany dominates her ally and would not hesitate to compel her to leave the Ukraine alone for Germany to plunder and exploit. Nothing hut complete victory of the Entente Allies can really save Ukraine from her rapacious enemies. In the meantime the position of the Ukrainians is one that will arouse sympathy, hut practical help is out of the question.