The record-union., 1899-11-23
THE czAR AND THE FINNs.

The CZAR AND The F1NNS.
Though the Emperor of Russia re-
fused to receive the delegation of 500
Firms appointed last summer to call
upon him and present the grievances of
Finland, the movement in their behalf
did not cease. A large number of em-
inent scholars, scientists and publicists
little later addressed a memorial to
the Czar beseeching him to preserve
the autonomy of Finland and not to
continue policy which will scatter the
Finnish people over the earth
1t was pointed out that it will be a
distinct loss to civilization to have these
people lose their individuality. 1t was
emphasized that the Firms are not a
numerous people but peculiar in sew
eral respects, all favorable to still high
er development; that they are, despite
the hardships of rough climate, ad-
vancing steadily, growing in prosperity
and scientific and general knowledge
anxious to avail of education advance
ment and generally a sturdy, loyal,
moral and most desirable people.
But the Czar refused to receive the
petition though it was international in
character and was duplicated in twelve
languages and came from distinguished
men of English, German, Hungarian,
Swedish, Dutch, italian, French and
Flemish prominence.
1t seems that the address was car
ried to st. Petersburg by a deputation
OF six professors each eminent in the
scientific and educational world. They
asked for an audience with the Gar,
but it was refused. They were received
by the Minister Of the Interior very
politely, who informed them that their
address could not be presented, nor
could they have audience with the Gar
Not only was the petition refused, a
reception which the petitioners hold to
be discourtesy to say the very least
but the burdens of the Firms have been
augmented and the expressions visited
probably injudicious to attempt to pre-
sent the petition. Russian character is
such that any interference in her inter-
nal politics is resented promptly, and
as in this case is usually followed by
renewed activity Of the order against
which the outsiders exclaim.
The Russian Government is not one,
as the "St. James Gazette" remarked
at the time, to change its purposes be-
cause John Doe, the author of learned
volume on entomology asks it to do so.
AS the Gazette" says:
We of course entirely share the views
of the petitioners, but that does not
prevent us also sharing the astonish-
ment that stunned the Minister of the
imperial household for twenty-four
hours when he was approached by a
deputation Of learned professors in
twelve languages, intent on persuading
the Car to listen to them instead Of
his own Ministers. No one seemed
quite to know what to do with the gen
tlemen, who were therefore forwarded
from one place to another like a lost
parcel, till at last they managed to get
a civil dismissal from the Minister of
the Interior. OF course they got moth
ing more for their trouble.
But all this. while amusing in one
sense, is very serious for the unhappy
Firms Their condition has not been
bettered since the scientific attempt in
their behalf, and they probably have
reason now to pray for delivery from
their friends. The policy of Russia
may be to depopulate Finland, df so it
is proceeding now in precisely the di-
rection to accomplish that end. But
it does seem strange that a ruler who
had the breadth and humanity to call
the International Peace Congress into
being, and to suggest the disarmament
of the nations, should insist upon con-
duct towards the Firms, which all the
rest Of the civilized world holds to be
unjust and unmerciful.