The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-11-18

cOuQ1ElO1lS winch A44E
autocracy would be compelled to face
would be the increased tendency of the
conquered provinces to revolt. 1t was
asserted that this was especially true
in the case of Finland. AS subsequent
events have proved it is only recently.
when the boastfuI resort to arms has
been made and nothing remains but the
sting Of defeat, that the Baltic prov
fnce has risen in its wrath and de-
handed Justice from its Inundated op-
pressor, already torn asunder by its
own internal dissensions.
TO the American, unmolested in the
fuI possession Of his liberties, the
story OF Finnish subsection TO Russian
r7lIe reveals a condition Of affairs that
seems miserable beyond any eompari-
son. with grievance eliminating in
a tax on tea and the unwelcome pres
ence of q few British regiments the
American colonies found justification
for z. successful war of independence
out of a violation of the most solemn
pledges to preserve their liberties, out
az the conscriptfon Of their sons to
serve in the Russian army and for a
cause that was utterly repugnant, out
of the despoiling of their senate Of
every vestige of its lawfully exercised
powers. the Finnish people, at least up
to the time of the BobrikOn assassina-
ton. had made merely a passive resist
ance.
The wrongs Of Finland have been too
great for conformation, but her patience
has been sublime. A little less than q
century ago she was a grand duchy of
Sweden. She is only about the size of Nor
way and contains 100000 people, many
of them Scandinavians of the same
stock as that of Norway and Sweden.
Alexander l., c0vetous and tempted by
Sweden's weakness, annexed the grand
duchy to his conglomerate empire, but
not until he had pledged the faith Of
the ROmanoffs in these memorable
words:
Providence having placed US in pos
session Of the grand duchy of Finland.
We have desired hereby to confirm and
ratify the religion and fundamental
laws Of the land as we'll as the priv
ileges and rights which each class in
the said duchy in particular and all
Inhabitants in general, be their posi-
ton high or low, have enjoyed hither-
to according to the constitution. We
promise to maintain all these benefits
and laws firm and unshakable in their
full force"
Thus was established the faith of the
Firms in their Russian master. He was
faithful to his rescript, and so was his
brother Nicholas, who succeeded him.
So also were the two Alexanders who
followed, and it remained for the Ro-
manoff who posed as the mighty cham
pion of peace to strike the first blow
at their ancient agreement with his
forefathers. His unexpected and VIC
lent attack upon their liberties was a
shock to them and to the whole world
1t was in direct antagonism to every
thing that he had seemed to represent
No one outside of Russian official cir
cles understood it, least of all the Firms,
who we're the victims.
In the light of subsequent events it
has become far less mysterious. The
reasons for the cars precipitate and
harsh treatment of Finland have been
revealed He was misled purposely by
those who had weighty cause to divert
suspicion from their own untrust-
WOrthiness. He was made to believe
that the Firms were actually plotting
against his life and that the grand
duchy was a veritable hotbed of an
archy and sedition. It is no longer a
matter Of doubt that certain influential
agents of the grand ducal party made
It their chief business to I'll the ears