New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-22
SCANDINAVIA AND RUSSIA.

II recent reports from Stockholm are accu-
rate, the Russian authorities at Helsingfors per-
mltted an outrage unwise as it was inhuman
upon the person Of the Swedish engineer Mr..
BjOrdklund. This man, it appears, was in Fin
land on legitimate and private business, being
employed there by q German manufacturer; and
the cause Of his arrest was alleged TO be moth
ing more than a suspicion that he was sym
pathizer with the revOlutionists." Even this
suspicion, moreover, appears to have been
groundlesS his release on the day following
his arrest sufficiently attests. But, before that
release came. be had been subjected to the
greatest indignities, having been stripped naked
and left in that condition overnight in a cold
and dirty cell, without food or water. Under
these circumstances it is not strange that Swe-
den. which. as every one knows, is one Of the
most easygoing of nations, should be institut-
ing inquiries at st. Petersburg with regard to
the affair, with view to preventing, if posi-
bic, any repetition of such outrages upon her
subjects in Finland.
The most charitable explanation Of the affair
would be TO suppose that the overzealous Rus
sian officers in Helsingfors simply made mis-
take, and that, having discovered their mistake.
they set the Swede at liberty. But a mistake
whose victim happens TO be a subject OF
friendly power and at the same time of power
which may have some reason to dread the re-
cent policy of Russia in Finland; mistake, too,
which is likely TO make every foreigner in Fin
land feel insecure must be regarded as evidence
of the inpolitic character of Russian rule IN
Finland. Hitherto the worlds attention has
been chiefly attracted TO the despotic nature OF
that rule in its bearing upon the ancient Hber-
ties Of Finland itself But regime that is so
careless Of even international rights as to allow
thing 10 lapuaD q Is rpnOrfpd IN hay
happened TO Mr.. Bjordklund lays itself open to
the charge of foolhardiness as well as of bru-
taity. Such a mistake, criticised from the in
tellectual point of view, is what Napoleon called
worse than a crime; it is blunder."
Russia's policy in Finland is so indefensible
from a domestic point of view that 1t would
seem to be the part of wisdom for her TO exer-
else more than usual courtesy in her treatment
of all foreigners who have occasion to visit or
to reside in Finland; and this is particularly ad-
visable with respect TO Swedish or Norwegian
residents Many in both Scandinavian coun-
tries regard Russian imperialism in Finland as
only a step toward securing control Of the ports
of the great peninsula itself. Hence, If the az
fair Of Mr.. Bjordklund has not been exaggerated.
it is likely to suggest TO many Swedes a sus-
picion that the victims nationality was the real
cause of his arrest and that possibly Russia is
II MS ~ AAN BifNtANSs III uiltStA pIOLlOuOO Oh
rebellion in Finland on the part of Swedish sub
jects there, for an aggressive retaliation against
Sweden. This may not be true; but govern
ment situated as is Russia in Finland needs TO
keep free from any cause for such suspicious.
In spite of Finlands ancient connection with
Sweden, it seems certain that neither Sweden
Lor Norway, nor any decent subject OF those
countries who may be residing in Finland. has
the least idea OF fomenting a revolution If the
last named land. So long Russia gives no
pretext for interference. Scandinavia may be re-
lied upon to mind its own business; and IL after
a time it should unbappily become evident that
Russia vas prosecuting designs against Scan
dinavian soil political dominion, even then
Scandinavia would probably confne herself to
defensive measures. Ii Is doubtful II under any