228 HUMAN LIFE IN RUSSIA
where the work of the museum for historical relics in the
religious field and the valuable Potocki collection were studied.*
Thus, at the moment when the dictator Postyschev was
exterminating every trace of Ukrainian cultural individuality,
and a few days after Lenin's friend and co-founder of th<
Soviet State, the Ukrainian Communist Skrypnik, had sho'
himself, when even Ukrainian Bolshevists were protesting
against the starvation of their countrymen, the Pan-Ukrainiai
academicians were enlightening M. Herriot about the splendic
work done to promote the cultural endeavours of the Ukraine
At this very moment the Moscow delegate was speaking open£
of the danger inherent in the activities of the Academy anc
other similar organizations: and a few days after the guest
had left Kiev the members of another similar institute wen
expelled or arrested. At the moment, however, the object wa
to provide the guest from France with an idea of the develop
ment of the Ukrainian cultural movement under the Sovie
regime, and even of the care taken of religious relics, while th
academicians had to turn out to sing the praises of the Sovie
powers as the protector of such endeavours.
M. Herriot was deeply moved. In the book for the Academy3
guests of honour he made the following entry: "I have visite
this historic building with the greatest interest. I consider :
my duty to express my heartfelt thanks to the director and hi
staff, as well as to the representatives of the Soviets at Kie^
who showed attentions to me which I and my French colleague
will long remember." The Ambassador Alfan was entire!
enthusiastic and wrote: "I wish to express my thanks an
gratitude. The working population of Kiev, recognizing i
M. Herriot a friend of the Soviet Union, who has done muc
to bring about the Franco-Soviet rapprochement, welcome
frim and the other guests on their way through Kiev wil
applause and acclamations.'*
Other delights awaited the guests after their study i
cultural movements in the Ukraine and the promotion of the