The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-01-11
Coming of the Firms.

A most unusual emigration from Finland
to the United States and Canada is e1-
pected this year. One steamship line has
arranged to bring over $4,000 Finnish
psssants. II is said that thousands of fami-
les will como here TO engage in farming In
the hone OF bcttering their condition and
especially with a view to escaping the new
political conditions imposed upon Finland,
eleven months ago, by tho Russian Gov
ernmcnt.
South Finland is in the same latitude as
South Greenland. No other region so FAR
north is SO well titled and so densely peo-
pled. Its $500, 600 Inhabitants are n
sturdy and Industrious race, eleven-twelfths
OF them tilling the soil, and nearly all are
Lutherans in religious faith. Thor history
during the decade ending in 1895 was re-
markablc for progress and development,
but last year was crowded with bitter dis
appointment and calamity.
A few figures will show the remarkable
economic advance Of the country. In lSs@
the exports OF Finland We're valued at only
sl7,OOO.Oo By 1894 their value had in
creased TO S27, 200 900 and the average for
the two following years was s32, 900. 200.
Lumber and tar were formerly the chief
articles exported, but these now include a
great many horses, among the finest raised
in the Empire, and large quantities OF
butter, potatoes, flsh, w~oOipulp, and paper.
The Finnish Government supports thirteen
schools for instruction in the best methods
OF farming.
In 1890 less than 100 900 natives Of the
Russian Empire were living in the United
States: we are now told that over a fourth
rs many moro will come 10 America during
the present season from the small part Of the
Empire embraced by Finland. The reasons
for this extraordinary migration of Firms
are undoubtedly the change in their politi-
cal condition and the distressing crop
sailsro Of last year. The lmpcria! mani
frsto of Feb. - last practically annullrd the
Finnish Constitution in spite Of the fact
that when Car ALEXANDER !. wrestcd tn"
country from Sweden in 1909 he confirmed
the Firms in the constitutional rights and
privileges they had before enjoyed, and
each of his SUCCESSORS renewed the pledges
he gave. Il was n bolt from a clear sky
when the Car, last year, abolished Finnish
autonomy by q stroke of the pen, reduced
the Diet to tho position 81 n parish council
and made Finnish soldiers liable to serve
outside their own country. Chagrin was
added to dismay when he refused to receive
the appeal signed in n fortnight by a half
million Of his Finnish subjects.
On the heels Of this calamity, came a late,
cold spring and widespread floods that
ruined a large part Of the rye crop. the main
breadstuif Of the country. Late last sum
mel the people OF the towns were raising
money to relieve the distress Of many
thousands Of peasants in the country dis
tricts. Famine was feared in the northern
part of the settled area, but the country
was spared this acute stage of sufferinG.
These Lutheran peasants are intelligent,
Woodworking people and il would he a
blessing il all emigrants rom Europe were
equally desirable. They will be welcome
in this country. where their qualities
will make them prosperous and useful.