2. To issue an order in the name of the Government and in the name of the
Commander-in-Chief to the Ukrainian partisans on the other side of the
battlefront that they also 1. should take a vigorous action against the
instigators of pogroms, 2. fight against particular treacherous pogrom
bands and annihilate them - always remembering that the army of the
Ukrainian Democratic Republic does not tolerate pogroms on its victorious
march and inflicts the severe punishment upon all the guilty ones.
3. To appoint immediately a special government commission with extensive
powers of investigating pogroms and of combating them; the said
commission to be composed of one representative from the following
offices: The Commander-in-Chief, the Inspector General, the Minister of
Justice, the Minister of Internal Affairs, and the Minister for Jewish
Affairs. The Commission should proceed at once to the frontline to the
area of liberated cities and other places of the Ukrainian Democratic
Republic. The Commander-in-Chief should be advised to order an
authorization with full powers to the Commission.
4. Through inspections, the bodies of troops and the commissioners of the
Ukrainian Democratic Republic should be informed about the foreign
provocative work of the enemies of the Ukrainian Republic, who exploit
the pogrom excesses for their own purposes.
5. By means of a special report from the Prime Minister, to inform the
Directorate of the Ukrainian Democratic Republic of this Decree, and to
manifest the Government's firm determination and effort in the direction
of removing completely any possibility of pogroms in the Ukraine.
6. To issue an appropriate proclamation of the government to the people.
7. The Minister for Press and Information should initiate an intensive
campaign against pogrom arrangers; inform the foreign press and foreign
public about the actual state of affairs, and protest against the
outrageous slandering of the government of the Ukrainian Democratic
Republic.
8. The Minister of Justice should at once take steps that all those who
are guilty of pogrom excesses, i.e. those who already have been arrested
as well as those who may be arrested, should be handed over to a special
court.
9. This Decree is to be made public.
(Ukraina, August 21, 1919.)
HOME DISINFORMATION PETLIURA 552 hits since 23Mar99
Symon Petliura Army Order No. 131 26Aug1919 Do not stain those deeds
It is time for you to understand that the peaceful Jewish population, their
children and women the same as ourselves have been oppressed and
deprived of national freedom. They can not be alienated from us, they
have of old been always with us and they have shared with us their joys
and sorrows.
Army Order of the Supreme Command
of the Ukrainian Democratic Republic,
August 26, 1919.
No. 131
Officers and Soldiers!
It is time for you to realize that the Jews together with the majority of
the Ukrainian population have recognized the evil of the
Bolshevist-Communist invasion, and know already where the truth lies.
The most important Jewish parties, such as: "Bund", "United Jewish
Socialists", "Poalej-Zion" and "People's Party", have decidedly placed
themselves on the side of the Ukrainian independent state and are working
together hand-in-hand for its good.
It is time for you to understand that the peaceful Jewish population,
their children and women the same as ourselves have been oppressed and
deprived of national freedom. They can not be alienated from us, they
have of old been always with us and they have shared with us their joys
and sorrows.
The gallant army which brings brotherhood, equality, and freedom to all
peoples of the Ukraine should not be lending an ear to various
adventurers and provocateurs who long for human blood. Likewise, the
Army should not be a party to bringing a hard lot on the Jews. Whoever
is guilty of permitting such a heavy crime is a traitor and enemy of the
country and must be thrust out of human society.
Officers and soldiers! The whole world cannot but admire our heroic
deeds in the struggle for freedom. Do not stain those deeds - not even
accidentally - by disgraceful actions and do not bring down burning shame
upon our state in the face of the whole world. Our many enemies,
external as well as internal, are already profiting by the pogroms; they
are pointing their fingers at us and inciting against us saying that we
are not worthy of an independent national existence and that we deserve
to be again forcefully harnessed to the yoke of slavery.
I, your Commander-in-Chief, tell you that this very moment the question
of to be or not to be for our independent existence is being decided
before the International Tribunal.
Officers and soldiers! The judgement on this question rests in your
hands, so decide it by showing an armed fist against our enemies
remembering always that a clean cause demands clean hands. Be sure that
a severe and lawful punishment by a people's court will overtake all
enemies of our country; but remember also that vengeance - often the
