The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-12-31

Finland is about to lose many thousands
OF her inhabitants. Weary OF russian
oppression they are preparing 10 turn
their backs upon the country Of their
birth to ind homes ia the new world thdt
has sheltered the dOwntrodden and the
oppressed ever since that bleak November
day, when the Pilgrim Fathers hrsl tIoo
The shores Of Massachusetts Bay Al
ready arrangements have been made lor
10000 Of these people to leave FINLAND
and this number Will settle IN Canada
during the coming year. Al the same
time thousands OF others viii san Ior me
United states and Will settle in the West,
where land is already being set aside
for them Used TO freedom, for WnlCh 'hoS
fought through centuries. they ere unwii-
ling to live in subsection as serIS OF the
Russian Car
The first Of the Finanders TO come TO
this country will start within Few
weeks. and IL has been arranged that thls
marty shalt 30 TO Canada The Finlander
commissioners who came 10 America 10
look over the ground a rev months ago
0nally succeeded in making arrangements
for suitable concessions with the Cana
alan Government more than 10000 acres
os cho,ce AGRICULTURAL lands having Deen
set apart for their use.
WHERE THEY WILL SETTLE.
This land which is located near -,lber-
"a near the farming regions west OF hed
Deer. IS splendidly wooded ana watered'
and Is nearly all high, rolling prairie
suitable for wheat raising, dalrylhg ana
mixed farming. While the comm ssion-
ers Messrs. Wingklemann, IllAacus ana
T,areotrom. received warm welcome from
III I-nited states authorities and finally
accepted several tenders Of land. no pro-
position that they received was as favor
able 10 the colonisls as the oiler mat
was made By the Canadian Government
As the result the large colony VIII DE
planted Ia Canada Al the same time
about a dozen colonies VIII sprnS UP n
the West with he result that ne popu-
lation OF America will be Increased py
tens OF thousands of liberty-loving' nom
ct and religious Tcope.
The case Of Finland is one that Appeals
with peculiar force TO American syma-
thies. Finland is a little nation, but
for 1900 years It has enjoyed its own
voyernment. its religion. It's literature
and It's own language Now II Is about
20 have "a these prlyi fres ruthessly torn
from them by The cruel DEGREES OF the
Russian Government
AZ was in 1914 that Russia took pos
session Of Finland. but this possession
was obtained by a solemn treaty that
Finland should Forever ENJOY her oWn
autonomy All the Russian cars have
confirmed IT, as Grand Duke OF Finland,
In their coronation oarhs, and when the
rrosont car was crowned. Jew years
ago he solemnly repeated this oath. In
snite Of this however. he has failed 10
keep his promise. Suddenly as a thun-
derbolt from clear sky came the de-
cree depriving them OF all their privileges.
ara calling FOR the complete Russianiza-
tion OF Finland.
As soon as the new edict was received
che Imperial Senate Of Finland addressed
a respectful remonstrance 10 the Car.
and forwarded II 10 him by deputation
M prominent citizens. The Car, how
ger declined 30 receive the deputies.
and when the Senate's address was read
10 MIN ne wrote on tho hack OF Il; Does
not deserve any Intervention"
public meetings were then held
throughout Finland. ard within week
paarly 10000 signatures OF adult Finnish
ettizens. both men and women. were OBJ
tafaed 20 an appeal, which was taken 70
~. pstsrsburE By deputation OF 800