1/11/1918 As one war comes to an end, another begins

Austria-Hungary is beginning to disintegrate, with new states emerging from its shattered remnants. This remaking of nations is leading to new conflicts as a lack of clearly defined borders between the new entities leads to border disputes.

The Austrian province of Galicia is home to many Poles. They are intent now on separating from Austria and joining the new Polish state that has been proclaimed in Warsaw. But not everyone in Galicia sees their future as Polish, with many in the east of the province feeling more affinity with Ukraine. In Lemberg, the provincial capital, most of the population is Polish (and thinks of the city as Lvov) but there is a considerable minority of Ruthenes who look more to Ukraine (and to them the city is Lviv).

Most of the troops stationed in Lemberg are Ruthenes and today they stage a coup, declaring the city to be part…