Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-26
WOMEN IN THE. DIET
Picturesque Opening Of the
Finland Parliament Yesterday.
HOLIDAY TO CELEBRATE
All the Shops, Factories and Schools
Were Closed.
SERVICE IN NICHOLAS CHURCH
Three Languages Employed in ths
Ceremonies Attendant Upon thu
Event-speech. From Throne.
IN NICHOLAS CHURCH

HELsINGFoRs. Finland, May 25.-The
| first single chamber diet of Finland, the
members of which were elected under the
| new constitution. was formally opened in
this city this afternoon
f. Governor General Gerhard, representing
Emperor Nicholas, read the speech from
the throne which was a short and color
| less address,. merely exherting the new par
ifament to labor diligently in the inter-
ests OF the grand duchy. In reply, the
president of the diet, Judge Svinhufvud,
delivered an address. which, after allud-
ing TO the passing of the hated Bobrikoff
regime, he declared the diet always would
De guided by the principle of respect for
the rights OF Finland and the full restora-
ton of the ancient and legal status of the
duchy;> The opening ceremonies took place
in hall built especially for the purpose.
They We're preceded by a service in the
Nicholas Church, the center of the national
religion of Finland. The members of the
a,e. a acc TO ancient custom. marched
from the church to the palace.
|, Women Deputies.
touch OF, quaintness was impaired to
the procession by the white colts of the
several peasant women deputies. The male
deputies, having academic degrees wore
medieval hats of strong design; they re-
semble silk hats incased in baggy cover
mgs of red or brown silk, and the large
number of these head coverings in The pro-
cesslon was an indication of the high av-
erage education of the deputies. The new
Neglected legislators wore neither uniforms
nor decorations, but the members of the
senate were respondent in gold trimmed
frock coats, cooked hats and epaulets
There was a, general holiday in Helsing-
fors In honor of the OCCASION and all the
stores, factories and schools were closed
Nearly the entire population of the
city gathered in around the church to
watch the coming and going Of the depu-
tiesss There were no breaches of the peace
perfect order being maintained by 100
Finnish policemen Governor General Ger
hard dispensed with the customary escort
The Russian garrison in the fortress took
no part in the ceremony beyond mounting
guardzof honor in front of the palace.
y Used Three Languages.
Three languages-Finnish, Swedish and
Russian-were employed in the ceremonies
of today, but the place of honor was given
to Finnish. President Svinhufvud delivered
his reply to the governor general entirely
in that tongue. The services in the church
came to an end with a sermon in Finnish
by Deputy Maloivaara, which was subse-
quently repeated in Swedish. The speech
from the throne was couched in Russian,
but Finnish and Swedish TRANSACTIONS of
1t were at once read by M. Michelin, the
senior of the senators.
A New Constitution. =
I. The speech from the throne was as fol-
lows:
I'm accordance with the manifesto of No
yeruber Il, 1895, "a new constitution and q
new. electoral law for Finland were elab-
GRATED. and on the basis of this constitu-
,tion and law the first regular diet Is opened
today. / greet you as the chosen repre-
sentatiyes of the Finnish people. look for
fruitful labor from you and a steadfast
fulfllment of the duties imposed upon you.
May your successful activity assist in con-
firming the principal reforms which al
ready have been accomplished. New meas
ures which win affect the lives of the peo-
pie in widely differing ways will be laid be-
fore you for consideration. some during this
session and others at other times before
the expiration of your mandates.
Invoking the blessing of the Most High
on you and your labors, declare this diet
Open"
Want to Improve Conditions.
In reply President Svinhufvud said:
"'The present diet believes one of its first
duties to be the passage of legislation
aimed at reconciling existing differences Of
opinion, bringing the citizens of this grand
duehy to mutual understanding and at the
same time Sfmprovfng the material eondi-
lions of the Intellectual classes and deveI-
oping the poorer classes. The most pro-
found wish of the Finnish people is to be
able to devote themselves to The fulfliment
of their mission in the civilized world and
the maintenance of the national existence.
The people perceive that the best manner
to compass these aspirations lies in the in
neutrality-suspicious. of the country"
Socialist Members Silent.
While the governor general was speaking
in the sname~of the emperor he stood at the
foot of the throne which is the historical
throne used at the opening of the first Fin
nish diet at Bergo. He wac surrounded ny
his staff, the senators and deputies being
massad In the lower end Of the hall.
At the conclusion Of the presidents speech
the governor general gave notice of series
of measures to bessubmitted to the diet,
and after this announcement the proceed
ings came to an end with hearty cheers for
the emperor, led by the Official .preceptor.
The socialist members. who at the last
moment decided to attend the opening cere-
monies remained silent during this demon
stration. Many of them paraded their party
aiIeeiance by wearing red ties and flowers.