Khortiza, October 22, 1919

How terrible! The tall Cossack was here today, he had been in our house already a few days ago. He announced that it had proved impossible to tolerate any longer the pretended neutrality of these Western farmers. The fight had reached its climax and they had now decided to act upon the idea, “He who is not for us is against us.” We must now decide whether we want to be on their side and fight against their foes, the Whites. Should we refuse to do so, they would draw the conclusion that we were pro-White and consequently we should have to suffer their vengeance. And he left no doubt about what it meant. We would be erased, as he said. And he added, “You know that our flag is black and represents the symbol of death, which is sure to all our enemies.”

These days hung over our heads like a threatening storm. How will this all end? …