The National tribune., 1901-10-10
COMING OF THE Films.
Russian Oppression Driving Fandes to the American North
west
Rev. ALBIN HUKKANEN in Metropolitan Magazine.

rebellion. the South African war, and the
Boxer outbreak in China has caused the
struggle going on in Finland to be passed
unnoticed by the civilized world. Yet ii
is a question which concerns more than
100000 inhabitants of the Grand Duchy.
Beyond the blow at the liberties of peo-
nie enjoying autonomy is menace to the
Scandinavian lands and to Western Eu-
rOpe Muscovite ambition is as ready TO
seize and control the territory of her DC
cideutal neighbOrS as that of the far East
ern potentates. The Gar is constantly
reaching out for new lands.
The facts are few and simple and may
be readily summarized. Finland, the
northwest province of Russia, holds the
odd position of being the most northerly
civilized state on the globe. Its people
come of an Asatic stock and are related
to the HungarianS and Turks. Originally
they were much darker than they are to-
day, and were doubtless brunei or swar-
thy at some early period; but the intense
cold of their home has served to bleach
them. until to an outsider they are scarce
ly diStinguiShable from the SwedeS. Up
to the 18th century they were pagans and
enjoyed a rude civilization. Even then
they were noted for their bravery and
warlike skill. They fought repeatedly and
well against the Scandinavians to the
west and the Slavic races to the east.
FINLAND's CONVERSION TO THE CROSS.
In the 18th and 18th centuries they
were involved in a series of religious wars
similar in character to the CruSadeS
waged against Islam and inspired by the
wars the Scandinavian armies of the
Cross reinforced by Adventures from the
Continent, proved irresistible. The light
was long and bitter, lasting nearly two
centuries, but resulted in the conquest and
conversion of the people. The Swedes
,-aI nc
fearless. They accorded to their captives
nearly all of their rights, and in the next
century 1.-THE 14th) gave them an auton-
omy which placed the Finn upon a level
with his conqueror. From that time on
Finland and Sweden developed together.
In the 10th century the various provinces
We're grouped together and legally recog-
nized as the Grand Duchy of Finland.
They had the same constitution and fnan-
cial, territorial, legal and religious system
as Sweden. When the Reformation oc-
CURED the Bible was translated into their
speech and they were among the first to
embrace Professionalism. In the great wars
which Sweden waged they supplied large
contingents TO the armies of GuStayus
Vasa, Charles XII, and Gustavus Adolf
plus.
Although the population of Finland was
but one-fOurth of that of Sweden, their
soldiers numbered two-fifths of the Swed-
ish armies. During these troublOuS times
they did not lose sight of either spiritual
or intellectual education. Churches,
schools and colleges were established in
every district; education was made uniyer-
sal, and in many districts compulsory. Io-
cal Industries were developed, so that the
land, though sterile, was made to yield
great wealth to its Industrious owners.
Under these circumstances the Uniyer
sity of Helsingfors became noted through
out Europe and Finnish scholars were
found in the universities of the Cont
nent.
RUSSIAN CONQUEST.
The bravery of the Firms attracted the
admiration of the Muscoyite leaders. who
as early as 1920 determined upon annex
formulated was carried into effect by
Peter the Great. who defeated the Swedes
and Firms in the wars of 1920 and Gar
ina Elizabeth in 1141 and 1742. Peace
was secured by Sweden through the ces-
Sion to Russia of the Province of Viborg
which was rich and fertile compared with
the other districts of the Duchy. Russia,
having other troubles on hand, took no
further steps until the present century.
when it again invaded Finland. The
Russian forces of Alexander. /. crossed
the frontier and, after many victories and
defeats, captured the great fortress of
STeaborg, and before the end of the year
drove the Swedish and Finnish armies out
of the country altogether. 1t was n costly
victory to the Gar. His losses in men
and money were enormous, and proved
peculiarly burdenSome on account of the
strain produced by the Napoleonic wars
Yet the indOmitable bravery of the Firms
aroused his admiration and Influenced him
to issue proclamation in which he de-
clared that the ancient laws of the coun-
try would be inviolably maintained.
The following year $500 the four es-
4aan -
burghers and peasants-were convened,
and ratified the cesSion of their country
10 the Gar. The Gar himself was pres
ent and issued proclamation which be-
came thereafter part Of the organic law
of the land. The gist of it is found in
the following clause: providence hay
ing placed Us in possession of the Grand
Duchy of Finland, we have desired by
the present act to confirm and ratify the
religion and fundamental laws of the land
as well as the privileges and rights which
each class in the said Grand Duchy in
particular, and all the inhabitants in gen
eEal, be their position high or low, have
hitherto enjoyed according to the consti-
tuition. We promise to maintain all these
benefits and laws firm and mistaken in
their full force"
Thereupon Alexander I. was proclaimed
Emperor of all the Russias and Grand
Duke of Finland. At the closing of the
Diet in July, 1909. he iterated these prom
ises and even extended his pledges to-
ward developing the nation in every re-
gard. The Finlanders saw no special
menace TO their liberty in this
Justice compels me to state that the
Gar and his successors kept their prom
ises up to this decade. Nicholas l.. Alex
ander H. and Alexander HI. did nothing
against which serious complaint can be
made. Nor did Nicholas H.. the present
Gar, modify the attitude Of the throne
until within recent period Not but
what there were many new buriens and
evils thrown upon the land Taxation
was increased in numerous ways. useless
offices were created, unnecessary assess
ments made. and changes effected in the
personnel of the administration which
were disagreeable and often objectiona BILE
to the citizens. They bore the burden
with great patience. Much of il they knew
TO be unavoidable European milifarism
is terrible load. and they recognized
that they were called upon to endure no
more than the Russians themselves. the
Germans, French, Spanish or Italians.
EXODUS OF FINNs
The pressure of Government began to
show It's effect in an increased emigra-
tion. Prior to 1880 the number of Firms
who left Finland was not much greater
than those who returned. Many went 10
Sweden. Norway. Denmark and across the
sea 10 Canada and the United States. but.
after gaining a competency, came hack
TO enjoy ii with their own people. The