Симон Петлюра. Статті, листи, документи

Annotation

This volume is made up of selections from the writings of Symon Petlyura, the former Head of the Government and the Commander — in — Chief of the independent Ukrainian People's Republic. These selections denote the most important landmarks of his life and ideological development: first, as a socialist advocating Ukrainian autonomy within Russia and, then, as the builder and leader of an independent state.

Petlyura was born in Poltava in 1879 and as a young theology student joined the underground socialist movement, where he was an active party — functionary, journalist, and editor. His writings of this period reflect the influence of Marxism. However, they also reflect his ardent advocacy of the Ukrainian national movement. Unable to live on his earnings as a journalist, he supported his family by taking employment as a bookkeeper in Moscow.

He became a prominent figure in the first modern Ukrainian government which was organized after the Revolution of 1917. He was Secretary of War in the Central Rada, then a member of the Directory of the Ukrainian People's Republic and the Commander — in — Chief of the Army. He later became the head of the Directory. As head of the Ukrainian government — in — exile, after November 1920, Petlyura actively promoted the cause of independent Ukrainian statehood. He was slain by an assassin in Paris on May 25, 1926.

This book is divided into three chapters, each of which encompasses a well — defined historical period: the pre — Revolutionary, that of the Revolution and Ukrainian independence, and the years in exile.

The first chapter (1902–1914) contains selections from Petlyura's articles published in the Ukrainian socialist press (legal and illegal), in the Ukrainian liberal press, and also in two Russian — language magazines (one, a Ukrainian publication and the other, a Russian historical periodical).

The second chapter (1917–1920) contains documents, proclamations, orders, letters and telegrams, which characterize Petlyura's activities as a statesman.

The third chapter (1920–1926) is made up of Petlyura's articles which were published in exile under various pseudonyms, and letters, the majority of which have never been published.

This material is published without any excisions or abbreviations; it is vital source material for the study of the Ukrainian national movement in the first quarter of the twentieth century. This work will also contribute to an understanding of an individual whose name personifies the spirit of struggle for freedom and independence in the Ukraine today.