THE UKRAINE AND EUROPE.
[TO THE EDITOR OP THE " SPECTATOR."1
SIR,—That Bolshevism did not get a lasting foothold in Hungary—thus limiting that contagious disease to Russia alone— is entirely due to the Ukraine nation. Those indeed who had the opportunity of watching closely the political trend of events on the spot knew that, having regard to the unfavourable geographical position of the present State of Hungary, Bolshevism, unless united with Russia, could not succeed in maintaining its existence there. Both Hungarian and Russian Bolsheviks were therefore striving every nerve in order to induce the East Galician population to establish a Soviet Government for the purpose of linking Hungary to Russia. Indeed, Stanislaviv and other industrial centres became the foci of Bolshevik machinations. It was even rumoured that the German Government was on the point of following the Policy adopted by Count Karolyl, of handing over the reins of Government to the Spartacists, and that the only stipulation of surrender made was that the Bolshevik line must extend directly from Petrograd to Budapest. Germany then turning Bolshevik, Vienna, of course, would be forced to follow nolcns volens. For the purpose of achieving said aim, large amounts of French, English, Russian, and Rumanian moneys were freely spent in East Galicia—hut all in vain. The Ukrainian Government remained firm and took all necessary precautions to defeat their efforts. In this respect, it must also be noted that the entire population—Jew and Gentile alike—was heart and hand for the unqualified support of the Government in carrying out successfully its difficult task. Indeed, the Bolshevik agents left without having effected their object. Immediately after their departure followed a great attack by the Russian Bolsheviks, headed by more than two thousand Hungarians. • However, the brave Ukrainian Army of East Galicia prevented the Russian Bolsheviks from joining the Hungarians. Although inferior in numbers, the said Army sacrificed itself in the same way as at the beginning of the war the " Contemptible " British Army sacrificed itself so nobly in the West. Indeed, it defeated the Hungarians, forced them to surrender near Pidvolochivsk, and the dangerous situation was saved. So sure was Lenin of the success of his troops that two days prior to the attack he informed Bela Kun by wireless to the effect that the Ukrainian Government was arrested, Stanislaviv and the oilfields of Borislavir were in the hands of the Soviet, and Bolshevism would soon seize the whole sf Europe. Thus, for the second time, has Providence chosen the Ukrainian nation to make heavy sacrifices in -order to says Europe, but unfortunately each time those sacrifices entailed disastrous consequences to the country itself. In the mediaeval period, the Ukraine stemmed the tide of Tartar nomadic tribes pouring into Europe from the plains of Asia. Through Chose invasions, however, the Ukraine, much weakened, fell a prey to -Poland afterwards. And nowadays the Ukrainian Army, in thwarting the Bolsheviks in their designs, saved humanity from conrplete destruction. It is not difficult to imagine what might have happened in Europe had the Bolsheviks really -succeeded in carrying out their plan. In those fierce combats with the Bolsheviks thousands of Ukrainians shed their life-blood on behalf of humanity, but by no means in order to hand over their native land to the Poles afterwards.
It is therefore indisputable that Europe owes the Ukraine a deep debt of gratitude. For that reason the latter entertained high hopes that her aspirations -would obtain moral and material support. But unfortunately the Ukrainian nation, lacking thorough organization abroad, those important facts were not fully appreciated, and its enemies availed themselves of the favourable opportunity of levelling the lowest charges against same, by declaring that the Ukrainian Government is being composed of Bolsheviks and its Army of Bolshevik bandits.—I am, Sir, de., JOSEPH MARGULIES (B.Sc.). 8 Kensington Mansions, S.W. 5.
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