New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-09
PROSECUTED FINLAND.
RUSSIAN PROMISES BROKEN IN THE RE-
CENT IMPERIAL EDICT.

GUARANTEED PRIVILEGES AND TIE RIGHT OF
sEIF-G GOVERNMENT TAKEN AwAY-THE CHAR
ACTERIsTcs OF THE NORTHERN COUNTRY
AND ITS PEoPLE-THEIR LITERATURE
AND SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS.
The imperial cdict of the Car OF Russia re-
Gently issued, by which the Firms were deprived
Of their privileges and right of self govern
ment has attracted much attention. 1t has
caused the Firms at hcmc and abroad to pro-
test against the Cars action. and TO solicit the
aid Of the world Powers in their struggle to re-
tain the rights which were guaranteed TO them
in 1900, when the Finnish Landtag recognized
the Russian Emperor as their ruler. When this
recognition took place the Emperor, on his part,
confirmed all the rights Of the Firms, and prom
ised to allow them to maintain their customs,
usages and religion and their Finnish identity.
Situated between Sweden and Russia, Fin
land was for a long time cause for conflict
between these countries. In 1905, after an heroic
struggle, Russia conquered. and the Firms re-
ceived the assurance from Alexander that he
would bind his new subjects to himself with
bands of affection" The Emperor's decree at
that time was rs follows:
Providence having placed us in possession Of
The Grand -duchy Of Finland. We have desired
by the present act to confirm and ratify the re-
ligiOn and the fundamental laws OF the land. as
well as the privileges and rights which each
class in the said Grand-duchy in particular,
and all the inhabitants in general, be their po-
sition high low, have hitherto enjoyed ac-
cording to the constitution. We promise TO
maintain all these benefits and laws firm and
mistaken in their full force.
This decree created much favorable comment
among the Finlarders Two days later the
Gar received the homage Of the Estates as
Grand-duke of Finland at a solemn audience
held in the cathedral, at which time the Estates
took the oath of fealty to the new sovereign and
affirmed at the same time the involability Of
the constitution. Then a herald of noble birth
stood before the throne and proclaimed. "Niva
Alexandra /, Emperor de toutes les Russies Ct
Grand-duc de Finlande."
The Emperor embraced every opportunity TO
assure the Finlanders that the union with Rus
STA would not change or injure their rights and
one proclamation, which was issued on March
q, 1910, contained the following reassuring
words:
From the moment that, through the will of
Providence, Finland's destiny intrusted to
us it has been aim to rule the land in CON
fonmity with the liberties of the nation and the
rights assured to it by the constitution. All
the steps we have taken with regard to the in
tcrnal administration of the country are simply
"A consequence of addition to that funda-
mental idea The maintenance OF the religion
and the laws, the summOning Of the Estates
to a General Diet. the formation OF state
Council in the nations midst, and the nvola-
bility of the judicial and administrative author
fly afford sufficient proofs to assure the Finnish
nation Of its political existence and the rights
appertanng thereto.
The sentiment of nationality which pervaded
the country at that time found utterance in
poems and in songs, and patriotic writer's urged
the rising generation to remember that they
were neither Swcdes nor Russians The words
OF Arvidson, a young university student,
"Swedes We are no longer; Russians we cannot
become; therefore let us be Finne." expressed
the sentiment Of the great majority. and it be-