From Our Russian Correspondent The Ukrainian problem will play a paramount part in European politics in the immediate future.
Divided between the U.S.S.R., Poland, Rumania, Czecho-Slovakia and Hungary, the Ukrainians claim to be welded into one independent state. These claims are supported by Germany.
Separatist Ukrainian activities have been encouraged to such an extent that it is being said that an Ukrainian army of 40,000 men, composed of refu gtreaeisnedfroimn CPagrlpisL hoG-Ualkicratai;te is f obrei an offensive in the spring.
THE REASONS WHY
Germany's aims are obvious, though her ways to attain them are not yet clear She suffers from a shortage of raw materials and food-all this the Ukraine has in abundance, therefore the establishment of a puppet-state under her protectorate would not only solve all Germany's difficulties, but also give her a reserve of man-power for any emergency.
LITTLE HOPE It is well nigh impossible to foretell the aspect future Russia will assume: will Little Russia (Ukraine) and other border territories secede from Great Russia as certain separatists hope? Such hopes may meet with bitter disappointment, as the bulk of Little Russians never visualised secession from Great Russia; all separatist movements originated In Galician Ukraine, formerly under Austrian, and now under Polish domination and were fostered by Galicians who had emigrated to America and Canada.
Now how will Europe view these changed? There are indications that an Eastern move by Germany will be considere i favourably by the democracies, because this might divert her from claiming her colonies.
THE FUTURE Germany may he tempted to establish a separate Ukrainian state under a shadow-ruler chosen from among the numerous Ukrainian adventurers knocking about the world,
On the other hand there is a danger that, left to herself, Germany could secure too great advantages in the East and eventually use them against the Western Powers. This could be neutralised only by an understanding of all the Great Powers whereby Germany would act with their mandate.