THE COSSACK RACE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 11, 12 January 1918, Page 6

THE COSSACK RACE.

ORIGIN AND HISTORY. T\ The revolution in Russia stirred national forces which were previously held in check by the severe laws of the autocratic Government, and amongst these elementary forces the ancient power of the Cossack has come to, the fore (says a "Morning Post" correspondent). This military race have played a significant part in Russian history, and now it is obvious that its destiny has not yet been fulfilled the Cossacks will have a decisive importance in present events. The 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 either banished or themselves fled to the south-eastern part of Poland, to the banks of the River Dneiper, where on the steppes they could lead a free life, with no one to lord it over them. Nevertheless, they were useful to the State, 'because during endless struggles they kept Polish frontiers free from the Tartars. They gradually created a separate race of their own; their language was Ruthenian and their religion Orthodox. Polish Kings granted them privileges and considered them as their troops. In the middle of the seventeenth century a Polish gentleman-adventurer named B. Chmiclnieki became their hetman, and ravaged Poland with fire and sword. This war of the Cossacks resulted in their separation from Poland and their subsequent union with Russia, on the condition that their constitution and freedom would be preserved. PRONE TO REBELLION. Once united with Rusia,2 ,the CosSacks spread far into the Empire. One of them, Yermak. made an expedition on his own initiative into Siberia, conquered it for Russia, and became a Russian national hero. Thus the Cossacks from their original abode between the Dneiper and the Don spread to Southeastern Russia and Siberia. Hence there are in addition to the 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 were usually started 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 he was in 1671 captured and executed in "Moscow. About 30 years later another chief of the Cossacks, celebrated in European literature, Mazeppa, joined the Swedish invaders against Russia, and at the end of the eighteenth century yet another famous Cosßack, Pugachev, 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 DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE. Many privileges of the Cossacks were later systematically from them, and the discipline of a regular army introduced. Nevertheless, many of their fundamental prerogatives and characteristics still remain. The Cossack population numbers about three million, and every man for practically all his life is a soldier. They have their own militaryorganisation, and their own law. They are essentially a democratic people, officers and men share their pastimes, and intermarriage among all ranks is common. They are very proud of their distinctive race. A Cossack, asked whether he was a Russian, said to mc, indignantly, " Indeed, lam not; I am a Cossack.'' The Cossacks are kindhearted at home, and savage in war, pillage and robbery being their element. I always found great hospitality in the Cossacks' " stanitsa." They offered food and drink with a cheerful smile, but on the plates were stamped Polish coats of arms, the silver was Turkish, and other objects had been looted In more distant lands during their 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 are often as savage as their disposition. T 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. The elders from both villages were sitting together, watching this astonishing spectacle, and it was only when one party set fire to the village that they intervened and considered that the sport ought to be stopped.

VALUE OF SOLDIERS. The. 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 brave and intelligent. The German soldier is always afraid to meet a Cossack singly, and the German High Command, contrary to the rules of international law, considers a Cossack to be no soldier; he. is not taken prisoner of war, but is usually shot at sight. Tn reply to this, the Cossacks apply the same treatment, and any German captured by them is at once made away with. Of all the Russian forces the Cossacks had the best chance of preserving their moral during the revolution, and, as a matter of fact, the revolution has brought nothing which oould upset their usual equilibrium. The Russian Provisional Government abolished the death penalty, but this, again, can hardly concern the Cossacks. They have their own ancient law, and they hang any insubordinate comrade themselves. The Cossack does not desert because he has no reason for it: he has alwayß been a soldier, and will always remain one. This is why, during the 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 have little value for them. Tbey obey .their " ataman" because, from their childhood they were brought up under his discipline, and they will fight against any forces according to bis orders. In fact th»y are the only real power now existing in Russia.