The sun., 1904-06-17
GOVERNOR Or FINLAND SHOT.
ASSASSIN TRIES 70 END A TYRAN-
~ NICAL RULE.
Son Of senator schaumann wounds Gen.
BobrikosY Twice, Then Commits Sui.
cide-FHnns Have Suffered Under DO.
brikOH for the Last Five Years.
,speeeto, Cob,e p.,potch 10 THx sun.

SpeCt01 CdOt6 DtSp0tCN 70 hE Jun
ST. PETERsBURo. June 1e.-The Ministry
Of the Interior announces that Gen. Bobri-
koh. the Governor General OF Finland. while
entering the Senate at Helsingfors at II
O'Clock this morning. was shot twice with
Z pistol and Is dying. ":
One shot took effect In his stomach and
the other In his neck.
= LONDON, June le.-sWe were freemen
for 200 years; we are now Russian serfs
This assertion recently made by promi-
nent Finn. Sums up the motive OF the tragedy
just enacted at Helsingfors. The Russian
Government, when It decided to gri nd
Finland to the level OF Russian province,
found willing instrument in Gen. Bobri-
kof, who afterward carried out with an
iron hand the Cars decree comforting
upon him practically despotic power.
As Governor General his methods re-
Gently have been too notorious to need
recapituIation, but 1t may be recalled that
since he took Office he expelled from the
country some OF its most distinguished
sons, including ex-senator Mechelin, tho
most prominent figure in Finnish public
life, who for many years was professor OF
law at the Helsingfors University.
The attack on Gen. Bobrikof, which is
expected to prove fatal, adds another to the
long list OF similar occurrences, all Of which
are symptomatio OF the internal unrest
that has been recorded from time to time
In the dispatches to The SUN.
The St. Petersburg correspondent Of the
Standard says 1t would be very regrettable
II the outrage at Helsingfors had been COM
mitted by the self-styled progressives,
because it would have been dead against
their own interests, as was the assassination
OF Car Alexander II. The idea was gain
ing ground in St. Petersburg that the
Emperor had every intention Of seriously
considering recommendations in favor OF
the claims Of the Firms.
The motive of the assault was political.
Immediately. after first aid had been
rendered the sacrament was administered,
and Gen. Bobrikoff was then removed to
a hospital. where the bullet that hit him
in the stomach was extracted.
Schaumann. the assassin, who was 30
years old, discharged his revolver into his
mouth as soon as he saw the effect OF his
shots on his victim, and died instantly
His father is Vice-P President of the Senate
and leader OF the Swedish party, which is
identified with the opposition to the Rus
sianizing Of Finland.
Gen. Bobrik of was appointed Governor
General OF Finland in April, 1890. and soon
afterward Czar Nicholas III. issued his
initial decree depriving the people Of Fin
land Of their constitutional liberty. The
Cars action was largely due to pressure
brought to bear upon him by Count Bobri-
koff.
The result OF this decree was that Firms
began to leave the country in hordee. In
1898 only 5000 came to this country. but In
1908 nearly 10000 Firms came here. 1t is
estimated that 10 per cent. OF the population
OF Finland have come to the United states
since 1899.
Many Firms were exied from their coun.
try but more left voluntarily. Gen. Bobri-
kon attempted In 1902 to check emigra-
ton by forbidding the issuance OF foreign
passports to Firms who had not completed
Gently exiled by Gen. Bobrikon were several
members of the Finnish nobility, capi.
talists and professional men. They have
mostly come to the United States, and make
their headquarters at the offices Of Horn
borg d Co., Bridge street.
In April, 1908, supreme power in Finland
was given to Gen. Bobrikoff. He immedi-
ately ordered the arrest and trial Of men
who had avoided conscription: He also,
secured power to close, when he deemed
it necessary, hotels and factories and dis
solve private associations. Not more than
three persons Of different families could
assemble without first obtaining permission
from the Governor General.
The failure Of the Firms to illuminate
their houses in honor Of the war with Japan
was punished by proclamation forbidding
people to go to bed before 10 o'clock, 1t Is
also said that persons who "darkened their
windows at unusual hours were punished
by Gen. Bobrikoff