New-York tribune., 1901-07-14
THE SUBJUGATION OF FINLAND.

The letter from st. Petersburg which we pub
llsh upon another page Of this mornings Trib-
| une gives comprehensive and discriminating
account Of the present status of Russias attempt
TO subiugate Finland, and will serve to correct
some misapprehenSions which have of late en-
joyed publicity. Thus our correspondent ex-
plains that the Finnish constitution has not, as
| a whole been abrogated 1t is still in exist
| ence. and to large extent in force 1t has
simply been modified by Russia in an arbitrary
| manner. In certain particulars, "for the good of
| the empire" The worst feature Of the case is,
| however that in tampering with even a single
| word of that constitution Russia asserts her
right and, indeed her intent to alter, amend and
| modify 1t as much as she pleases, even to entire
| abolition. That is the fact which offers the
| most serious menace to the grand duchy. And
it may be added that a strong and sometimes
controlling party in Russia is in favor of pro-
ceeding to such abolition of the constitution and
TO complete the Incorporation of Finland into
Russia.
Happily, other Influences are at work. and
some reaction against the extreme measures of
NJ. Pobedonostseff is already apparent. Thus
the order for the complete Russianization of the
Finnish army has been rescinded. and the mill
| tary organization of the grand duchy will there
fore remain practically unchanged. Finland
will not be garrsoned with Cossacks, and Fin
nish conscripts will not be sent 10 serve in ST.
IBERIA. This decision of the Russian Government
is especially welcomed. because the order which
it revokes was gratuitously unjust. There
may be an excuse for sending Cossacks to Po-
land and for sending Polish troops elsewhither,
for conspraces against the Cars government
are not unknown among the Poles. But one
ever heard Of treason or conspiracy In Finland.
The Finnish troops are those upon whose abso-
lutte fidelity the Car always most implicitly re-
lies. and Finland is the one part of his domains
in which he has felt perfectly safe to travel
without a triple guard. 1t would be we'll II
other uncaed for and offensive orders were
similarly recalled and Finland were left 10
enjoy her schools. her press and her religion
without interference.
The plea for the welfare OF the empire Is a
strong 1t is one OF the strongest that could
| be made provided 1t is made in good faith. But
| the weak point In the whole Russian case Is
| that there has been not scintilla Of evidence,
| at least as far as the world knows, that this
| partial subjugation of Finland is at all neces-
| sary for the welfare Of the empire. Finland has
| been no menace to Russia. There is not a prov
| nce in his empire which has been more stead
| fastly loyal 10 the Car than Finland has been
| to her grand duke. The Finnish press has been
| free. but II has never been seditious The Fin
nsh schools have been free, but they have not
| been hotbeds of conspiracy. as Russian schools
| have been and are. Indeed not one single men
| ace TO Russia has appeared In Finland nor is 1t
apparent that in single particular will the wei
| fare OF the empire be promoted by these arbi-
| trary infringements upon the guaranteed rights
| of the Firms.