The Dupuyer acantha. [volume] (Dupuyer, Mont.) 1894-1904, 1898-01-20

X CCWSW fjords and rock
ASTV bound headlards,
Cs1| while less bold and
impressive than
that of Norway, does not lack the
charm of picturesque wildness and
beauty. Three nights and two days are
spent on a small but fairly comfort
able boat, and the long stops at inter
mediate points are not tedious.
Glimpses of towns like Abo, Hango
and Helsingfors are interesting be-
cause they reveal at once the genuine
strain of Scandinavian character n
the intelligence and 1exibility dis
played by Russia in governing a sub
Ject race swayed by progressive m
pulses and an alien religion. Not only
is the coast scenery Of Finland like
mat of Sweden and Norway, but the
people also have the sturdy virtues
n progressive tendencies which char
acterize the Scandinavian race. The
Finlanders ere sincere and devoted
Professionals, who have little in COM
mon with holy Russia; but they have
been allowed a large measure of local
independence and religious liberation.
Finland is not a Russian Ireland, but is
well governed, prosperous and con-
tented.
The approach to IIelsingfors is
guarded by the historic fortress OF
Sveaborg. with batteries on seven
islands, 600 mounted guns and a gar
ricnn nf : mn ,op rrhs- yroc Tho
northern Gibraltar built by a Swedish
admiral toward the end Of the eigh-
teenth century, For centuries Finland
had been Under Swedish rule, but the
Russians had set their hearts upon
conquering it, although it was a poor
and barren country, often decimated
by famine. Sveaborg was designed TO
be an impregnable barrier against in
vaders from the Neva. and the high
admiral who fortified the seven islands
was so confident that it could never
be captured that he proudly directed
his body to be buried there. His mon
ument still stands, with an inscription
in the spirit of the Wren epitaph in st.
Paul's Cathedral; but the fortress was
mysteriously surrendered by a Swedish
admiral In 1903, and the Russian flag is
now ver it.
Whoever passes the grim fortress,
with its memories of naval lombard
ments and generations of warfare, has
an object lesson in Russian persist
nee and patience. The same conquer
ing race which coveted Finland, per-
severing in its purpose generation af-
ter generation until the last rampant
was taken by intrigue and treachery,
has its aspirations south as we'll as
north, and awaits with equal confidence
and tenacity CT mind the fulfllment of
its ambitions. Constantinopie is an
other Sveaborg fortified by European
diplomacy against Russian assault. For
generations it has been coveted, and
every pious Russian knows in his heart
that the flag will some day be there,
and also over Jerusalem. 1t is a race
hat can wait for centuries for what it
ardently desires.
The Russians, having conquered Fin
land early in the present century, have
completely r%econciled the Protestant
population to their rule. They have
succeeded in this policy by adroitly
making concessions to local pride.
The emperor of all the Russians is the
Grand Duke of Finland, and governs
the country with the consent of the
Estates of the Diet, which assemble
periodically at Helsingfors. New X
cannot be imposed without the con-
currence of the four estates. and the
fundamental code of laws is Scandi-
navian in origin. Recent changes in
administration have tended to Rus
sianize Finland, but the country con-
tlnues to enjoy the privileges of repre-
sentative institutions. There is a sep
arate Finnish customs line, which has
to be passed even when the traveller is
1ourneying from St. Petersburg. Rus
sian currency does not pass in the
shops. There is a Finnish monetary
system distinct from that of the en-
pire. Universal military CONSUMPTION
is enforced in conformity with the laws
CT the empire, but Finland is not gar
risoned by Russian troops, but by its
W soldiers. The grand-duchy, with
its Scandinavian love of independence
and liberty, enjoys exceptional priv
lleges of local autonomy and religious
liberation. 1t is not a disaifected prov
ince of the empire.
The first glimpse of ancient Abo from
the sea is unpromising. A castle Oh