The times., 1901-06-29
CzAR THREATENS TROUBLE.
The Tariff, Question Complicated by
Attitude Toward Finland.

| According to advices received here the
Russian tariff difficulty may be still fur
| ther complicated by Russia's recent atti-
| tude toward Finland, one of it's dependen-
cies which for many years mas enjoyed
| practically an Independent form of gov
ernment
Finland is a large importer of American
| agricultural machinery and has always
| been allowed by Russia to have its own
| custom houses and customs duties. 1t has
levied duties on imports from Russia, the
| revenues being applied to the internal
government of the dependency. Russia
| has now determined. however. to make
| Finland a part of the Empire and disre-
gard the promises of Alexander ii, who as
sured Finland of an independent govern
| ment with a separate constitution.
The Gar, it is said, has already taken
steps to break down the independence of
Finland, the latest being the adoption of
measures looking to an absolute Russian
control of the Finnish custom houses.
This would mean that Russia would apply
the same retaliatory tariff duties on
American goods entering Finland from
the United States as coming into the En-
pire. This would undoubtedly work
hardship upon the Firms, who have de-
and at times upon American wheat and
cereals.
Already the people of Finland have be-
gun to show their dissatisfaction at the
attitude of Russia, and at the last ses-
sion of Congress Senator Mcmillan receiv-
ed petition from a col
ony of Firms in his State,
asking that this Government protest
against the conduct of Russia toward the
dependency. An official enquiry has now
been started to ascertain just what rela-
tions exist between Russia and Finland
as to foreign commerce. with particular
attention to the question of the Ameri-
can exports into Finland The object of
the enquiry is to ascertain whether or not
Russia is seeking to interfere with the
American trade with Finland and what
ground the Empire may have for such in
reference. II is very probable that Vic
tor Elk. the United States Vice Consul at
Helsingfors, the capital of Finland, will
be called upon for a report on the situa-
ton.
A prominent Finn, who has been in this
country for several months, arranging for
the colonization of number of Firms, is
authority for the statement that Finland
would welcome any international difficulty
Russia may have and stands ready to
give assistance to any Russian enemy.
He declares that Finland has standing
army of IL, 600 men and, in case of war,
could put 600 men in the field. There
is much dissatisfaction in Finland. owing
to the alleged failure of the present Rus
sian ruler to regard the promises of his
predecessors, but has sought in ev-
cry way possible to disregard them. He
says that Finland was never conquered
by Russia, but was sold out by Sweden
at the close of the last war between Rus
sia and Sweden, notwithstanding the fact
that the war had been carried on for two
years principally by Finnish troops.
When Sweden-ceded Finland to Russia |
the Gar Alexander IL promised that Fin
land should have absolute independence,
and he endeavored to carry out his as
surance by granting perfect freedom to |
the Firms in the administration of their |
affairs.
The Governor General to Finland is ap- |
pointed, but he has no authority, the Fin !
nish Senate making all laws. Recently |
Russia has taken away from Finland |
many of the liberties heretofore enjoyed, |
and the latest infringement is the move |
to place the custom houses under Rus |
sian control