The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-07-22

concerning Russia's destruction OF Fin.
lands liberties which attributes the ar
bitrary and unexpected action OF The
czar to the patriotic Pan-slavonic idea
He thinks that this explanation is fal
more plausible than any which should
attempt to define the case as wantor
exercise OF Russian tyranny. and h,
illustrates his point of view as FOL.
lows;
I'VE have our idea-the Saxon
idea, Russia has hers--the Pan-sla'
vonic idea. one Russia. one faith. one
law. one tongue. one army. shall q
miserable Finland and her paper con.
stltution stand between Russia and
her unityg Are we not to be al.
lowed" cries the proeurator of the
holy synod. by suspending the privil-
eyes Of Finland to unity the Russian
armyg" Ideas of this kind are likely
to prove more tyrannous than dy.
nasties, and he should indeed be a
bold man who was prepared to cata-
logue the crimes certain to be commit
mitted in their name.
The author believes apparently from
his study OF the comparative moral
ity of nations in The Contemporary
Review that Russia is no worse than the
others. He refers critically to Eng
lands treatment OF Ireland and the
Transvaal. and to Germany treatment
Of Schleswig- -Holstein. And by way OF
contrast he speaks of the very happy
conditions which prevailed among the
Firms up to a year and half ago.
The faith OF Russia solemnly pledged
in 1909 was" he says. "scrupulously
observed" Everywhere were evidences
of contented. loyal and intelligent
people, who were giving the best Of
demonstrations that even despotlsms
could keep their word. mo English
man. at all events. could visit Finland
without casting a sorrowful thought
upon ireland and remembering Linn
eriek-the city Of the Broken Treaty."
So we must abandon the notion that
there is any exceptional hardness or in
justice in the Russian character. The
empire is not leading in Imperialism,
but is simply following the trend of the
times. why be Danes become Ger
mans! Why be Finns?-become Rus
slams! Why be Dutch in South Africa?
become English! Russia, Germany,
England-these are great names. they
palpitate with great ideas. they have
vast destinies before them. and millions
Of armed men in their pay. all await
ing Armageddon. How absurd to be
a Finn! What is the Finnish idea?"
We might reply to Mr. Birrell that
the Finnish idea is the idea for which
Hampden and Washington stood; that
it is the idea upon which this republic
Is founded and through which the lib
critics Of Englishmen are secured. His
analogles are striking but sophistical.
Only the purest despotism could have
acted toward Finland as Russia has
done lately. and in the longer though
less novel part Of his essay the author
proves this. His many quotations from
imperial edits and declarations make
A record Of successive promises which
leaves the Firms title to their con-
stitutional rights without flaw. Still.
we do not suppose that they would
care so much about it's violation if the
'Pan-slavonic idea" meant nothing
more than that modern Imperialism of
which Mr. Birrell says it is develop
nent. The trouble is that the express
sion is mere euphemism for an all
pervasive tyranny that Is inherent in
Russian government. Russia brings
no liberal institutions With her.