Dear Editor:
Re: Is history repeating itself?, Letters to the editor, The Record, April 18.
To Garth M. Evans:
Yes, it is for the Ukrainians of the Ukraine, over and over through the years.
During the period 1896 to 1914 in Horoshova, Borschiv County, Crownland of Galicia, Austria/Hungary, resided Ukrainians who spoke Ukrainian
- not German, not Russian.
Austria-Hungary considered this area their property, but Russia considered this land as "Little Russia" and invaded soon after the breakout of the First World War.
Ukrainians were being starved and pushed out of their land by debt to the lords, church and Germany.
Many emigrated to Canada to avoid conscription into the Austrian/Hungarian Army and to get out of debt.
My paternal grandparents were just two of the thousands.
Ironically, with the breakout of the First World War, these same people that were welcomed to Canada, "The Promised Land," Ukrainians from Austria, were sent to internment camps all across Canada. They were considered the "enemy" by the Canadian government.
They lost everything, including their lives.
Karen Brack, New Westminster
