Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-08-25

cution of offenses against the integrity
of the autocracy
1t may be that somewhere in the ar
chives of the government there are
records to show how many eXiles there
are, and where and how they are situ-
ated, but so far as the general public
is concerned it can only guess at the
number of beneficiaries of the mani
festo.
Step Is Thank Offering.
1t was said when the imperial mani
festo of 1856 was issued that Alexan-
der II believed that the reverses sus.
tanned by his armies in the Crimea
We're due, perhaps to the reactionary
policy of his government. The coin.
cidence is noted, but, of course, no
one here suggests that the trend of
events in the far east has anything to
do with the present policy of Nicholas
II. He is credited with being more, l,y
humane impulses. primarily, and he
takes action at this time as a thank Of.
fering for the heir that has been born
to his throne.
Nicholas Is Progressive.
The emperor has always been cred.
tied with the progressive ideas, held
In leash to some extent by bureaucrat-
lc methods and the traditions of his
house.
His grandfather initiated liberal
policy that reached its highest frui.
ton in 1861 with the liberation of the
serfs, and which would have culminat.
ed, many European statesmen think
In the granting of a constitution to his
people. but for his death at the hands
OF Rusokoff the bomb thrower in 1881.
Other Reforms Granted.
But the manifesto of Nicholas, on
the occasion of his sons dedication to
the state and church, as first in the
line Of succession to the supreme head
OF both, does not stop at the liberation
of political offenders.
1t sets apart S1,500000 from the
state funds for the purpose of forming
an inalienable fund for the benefit of
the landless people of Finland; grants
amnesty to those Finlanders who have
emigrated without authorization: re-
mits the fines imposed upon the rural
and urban communes of Finland
which refused to submit to military
conscription in 1902 and 1903; and also
RENTS the fines imposed upon the
Jewish ccmmunes in the cases of Jews
avoiding military service.
Sentences Less Severe.
Furthermore it provides for a gen
eral reduction in sentences for com
mon law offenses, abolishes corporal
among rural classes and
for first offenses among the sea and
land forces, and RENTS arrears owing
to the state for the purchases of land
and other direct imposts.
Next to the redemption of political
Offenders the decree affecting the in
ternal affairs of Finland are most i'm.
portant, for many reasons, and it may
lead, diplomatics here think, to the
pacitication of that people, to a large
extent.
Unrest In Finland.
Until comparatively recent date
the people of Finland enjoyed a larger
measure of independence, perhaps
than was known to any other part of
the cars domains. A reactionary
policy. for which the late Minister Of
the Interior Won Plehve was consid-
cred responsible, resulted in feeling
of unrest throughout the country, and
there has been much talk of revolu-
ton, with mum Der of minor out
breaks to add fuel to the fire.
Land Laws Cause Friction.
The land laws have been the sub
ject of bitter controversy and many
schemes have been suggested for bet
tering the condition of landless per.
sons. Up to 1864 the mobiles had the
exclusive right to hold land, entirely
exempt from taxation, but this oppres.
sfve system was abolished, and now
can own any kind of lard
Legislation has looked for years to
an equitable distribution of the land.
and with this end in view the hypo-
theksforening was organized for the
purpose of lending money to parishes
at per cent for forty years. These
parishes have used 1t to provide in
dependent homes for the people.