The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-04-19
FINLAND.
Is Russia Secretly melting Revolution for
Pretext TO Crush the Province

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuE-Str: The
~tenporizing policy OF the Moderate party In
Finland, led by senator Mechelin. of which
l gave an account in THE Sun a few weeks
ago, has had its natural consequence. After
having thrown itself into the arms Of the
Russian Government in order to escape from
the more advanced and revolutionary par
ties. it finds itself without friends on either
side and threatened with being crushed be-
tween reaction and revolution.
Having succeeded In putting the Moderates
In an entirely false and isolated position In
the beginning Of the year. the Car appointed
a mixed commission to examine the question
of the project Of constitutional reform prom
ised Finland. Up TO now the composition
and powers Of this commission have not been
decided upon. but an incident suggestive Of
the u~ndercurrents that have been workln g
in the meantime has lust occurred.
The Governor-General Of Finland. Gerard.
who has been only about four months ct his
post. has asked to be relieved OF the respon-
sibility. During his occupation OF the once
he has endeavored TO carry out Its duties In
loyal conformity with the imperial resoript
of November 4 last, under which Finland
was supposed to have recovered lite autonomy.
The appointment of the mixed commission
alluded to and the dubious attitude OF the
st. Petersburg Government toward his W
methods Of Interpreting the Intentions Of the
imperial manifesto appear to have convinced
him that he could no longer honorably per-
form his duty.
Thoroughly alarmed by the new turn OF
affairs, the Finnish Diet addressed a long
petition to the Car asking for an early con-
sideration by him Of the constitutional reform
drawn up by the Senate. and that no altera-
ton be made in It not conformable with the
fundamental laws Of Finland, The petition
was couched in the most abject terms, indi-
eating the fear of its originators, who belong
TO the now isolated Moderates.
That their fear il not without reason lie
| shown by the fact that the Russian garrisone
In Finland have been heavily reinforced,
! and that during the past month several bat.
teries OF artillery and machine guns have been
sent to Helsin gfors and other military sta
lions in Finland. In addition, under pretext
Of making a fresh photographic survey Of
| the Finnish coast, a torpedo boat f1otilla has
been organized to cruise among the islands
so soon as the Ice disappears; and the cavalry
OF the imperial guard is executing man9u-
vres" on the Finnish frontier.
The correspondent who writes the above
information believes that the Russian Gov
eminent Is working to. bring. about such
trouble In Finland as will Justify IL In COM
pletely crushing the. Finnish population be-
fore tho revolution threatened In other parts
OF the empire breaks out. end says that unless
the people can restrain their indignation at
the obvious plot prepared against them, and
| refrain from the least act Of violence. or even
q general strike, the most serious troubles
may be looked for with the opening OF spring.
He fears the worst. j.
NEW YORK. April 10.