Ukraine and the War

Ukraine de facto, independent

The supporters of the idea of the Russian federation have often asked us if Eastern Ukraine aspired to detach herself from Russia.

Put thus the question is badly put.

After the Russian Empire’s complete fall into anarchy, Ukraine found herself suddenly detached from this Empire and, de facto, independent. In proclaiming herself independent by the solemn proclamation of the Central Rada (which was the true revolutionary parliament of the country), she but expressed in judicial terms that which had been already accomplished. It was undoubtedly difficult to construct a State in the middle of reigning anarchy. A heavy burden fell on the shoulders of the Ukrainian patriots, but the latter felt they should accept it. It was a historical necessity: the Ukrainian State must be founded.

That is why, instead of asking if the Ukrainian people wish to be detached from Russia, the supporters of the idea of a federated Russia would do well to put the question in the following terms: The Girl In Kherson —

Have the Ukrainian people the intention of being re-united to Russia?

One is then able to reply that when a more peaceful time has come the people will have the opportunity of expressing their will through the different elections which will take place.

And even if the Ukrainian people should believe that a federation with the neighboring people would give them sufficient guarantees for the development of their national State, it is as well to ask:—

What ought they to do now?

They ought to continue to consolidate their State and struggle for sovereignty.

It is only free sovereign States which are able to make a Treaty of Confederation, in the same manner as every other international treaty.

All the preceding pages have shown that for the construction and for the consolidation of an independent State the Ukrainian people possess all the necessary qualities.

Ethnology, the progress of national culture, and political economy have certainly formed an objective foundation. The short outline of history that has been given has equally shown that the Ukrainian State is also based on the subjective principles: the national spirit, the will of the people. This national basis is the most substantial foundation for the construction of a State.

On February 22, 1914, in the hour of greatest trial for the Ukrainian people, the bitterest enemy of Ukrainian independence, the Russian Imperialist, Miliukoff himself, was compelled to pronounce (in the speech already cited) the following truths:—

“The Ukrainian movement does exist. We cannot stay it or change it. ...”

“... The Ukrainian movement has been invented by no one; the Ukrainian movement exists and will exist, and all attempts to deny it will be fruitless.”