New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-09
Till END OE EINLAND.

n,ho closing wears Of the nineteenth century
oro ricb IN great events. They are seeing the
ION ~ tho world transformed. The African
continent is almost wholly partitioned among
Tho Furonean Powers and opened up TO clvlllza
zion The Chinese Empire, after more mllen-
n,,ms than some of It's despoers have seen cen
+rr,es ,s Welding TO the same fate. The last re-
,no,ns of the once world wide empire OF SPAIN
In both the East and West Indies, have been
wrested from the Castilian grasp and added 70
tho domain of the great Republic for whose
foundation Spanish adventure opened the way
Ices than these no doubt in general slgnin-
cance vet not unworthy TO rank among them, IS
the final destruction Of an ancient and particu
,arlv noble nationality in Northern Europe to
Wit TINT OF the Films. For generations the fall
of Poland has formed the theme OF poets ana
nainters and romancers, and has been detained
about and wept over most coplously. Certainly
the fall of Finland is an event as noteworthy
as strongly appealing TO human sympathy, and
as much to be regretted and deplored.
on another page Of to-day's Tribune we tell,
IN brief SYNOPSIS the tragic tale of Finland 1t
will be seen that when Finland became part or
tho Czar's domain It was under the strongest
and most explicit guarantees OF the mainten-
ance of its constitutional liberties. The name of
Finland was TO be preserved and the title OF its
ruler was to be not Gar but, as OF old, Grand
duke of Finland 1t was to have its own con-
stitution. laws Parliament, flag, currency post
age stamps. language, religion. The union be-
tween It and Russia was to be purely personal
one. residing in the fact that the same person
was 70 be Car Of Russia and Grand-duke Of
Finland. Car after Car confirmed these guar
Firms proved their worth of them in the amplest
manner. Unfortunately there was one thing
which the Firms would not or could not do.
They did not, at any rate bring themselves
down to the moujk level. Physically, intellect
ually and morally they remained the aristocrats
Of the Northern races. A generation ago. In
deed. they began to advance rapidly beyond
even their own former high standard. From
that moment they were doomed. The fatal eye
of Russian officialism was cast upon them, and
the decree went forth that they must be rus
sifed.
That decree is now being fulfilled The con-
stitution and laws Of Finland are practically abb
rogated or al least are made TO depend upon
the will OF the Russian Autocrat. The name Of
Finland a. a State is stricken from the map; IL
is now mere province of Russia The title
the Cars array of dignites; he is henceforth to
rule Finland not rs It's Grand duke, but as En-
peror Of All the Russias The distinctive flag,
currency and postage Of Finland are abolished.
The very language Of the people IS changed by
Official decree, Russian being substituted for
Finnish. And the State religion Of Russia is i'm
posed upon the Firms, to the vast majority Of
whom it is repugnant. For time, II is true
the Firms will doubtless be permitted TO use
their own language in private, and to worship
God according TO the dictates Of their own con
sciences But Russian Is hcnceforth the only
official and legal language, and all public Off
GERS must be sworn according TO the rites Of the
Russian Church No wonder that all places OF
Amusement in Finland are closed and the
women are wearing mourning.
There IS no occasion. OF course to rail against
Russia for this action The Car had right to
40 what he has done or what has been done in
his name That Is why he is a Car, that he
NAV have autocratic power. 1t was, indeed, 10
be expected from the outset that just this would
happen II has happened before In more than
one case IL in the rule Of the world When
ration makes itself master Of new territory In
any way it endeavors 10 extend its own politi'