New-York tribune., 1907-09-08
F[NNS DEMAND POWER.
THE NEU CONSTITUTION.
Rights of Emperor Cartoiled-A
Semi-SOUereigR State.

ST Petersburg, Sept. 7.-The Associated Press
has obtained draft of the new constitution Tor
Finland. which was submitted recently to the
t,mneror by the Finnish Senate for presenta-
tfon at the current session of the Diet at Hei-
singfors.
This document, which is designed to replace
the antiouated constitutions Of 1112 and 1853
the ukases issued by the enperors at various
periods. and other precedents, in part legendary
und4r which the Grand Duchy of Finland has
been governed is the fruit Of twelve months
labor on the part Of the Senate. It was begun
with the sanction of his majesty and the CO
onaration of the governor general 1t Is OF the
utmost importance to the grand duchy 1t
effects sweeping changes in the system OF gov
arnn7ent now in force, including series OF ho'-
ob1A concessions in the imperial prerogatiVe
which fundamentally reshape the relations OIL
the grand duchy TO the empire
In this constitution the status of Finland IS
defined as that of senai-sovereign state pouiiu
10 Russia by a personal tie only-tne IDENTITY o'
,ba Fmperor-Duke. The sovereign is obliged 10
govern Finland exclusively through MS Finnish
e,,b;acts and this measure means the banlsh-
,,,Ant from, Finnish territory of the Russian
army and gendarmerie, who now occupy fhe
4or+ifa6 nosts Upon his accession to the
chrome the Emperor Duke takes an oath 10 op-
serve the rights of Finland before claiming ti7
reciprocal oath of loyalty from his t1nnlsh sup-
iac+s Treaties with foreign powers, SO far as
+ba,- affect the interests of Finland, require
the consent of the Diet, and the supreme court
of Finland created by the constitution IS en-
lowered TO Judge the constitutionality Of the
laws.
The most weighty innovations, however, re-
Toto 70 finances and in this field the people
have full control. The Emperor surrenders MS
.,ycI,,si1a I,rivileges of levying customs duties
and the leyving and disbursement of ordinary
taxation. which he hitherto has enjoyed. aeFe-
after the right TO levy taxes, expend the rev
enues raise state loans. impose customs 'aIlll
and call the men of Finland to military service
all depend upon the concurrence OF the Diet
Tho Fmneror-Duke retains the power TO de-
terroine the rate of the customs duties 70 DC
levied upon Russian goods entering Flhlaho' u
grant pensions to effect the payment OF inter
ast on the existing state loans, ana 10 hA tno
salaries Of state officials. These rights VIII De
exercised through the Senate, which VIII De
reorranized and will become a regular cabinet
of ministers IN which all administrative power
will be vested under the presidency OF the gov
ernor general. The Emperor-Duke is TO appoint
and dismiss officials. and he will appoint Judges
without the right of dismissal All imperial
,sases require the counter signature Of the
State Secretary TO guarantee their legality, and
this is 10 be determined by the special admin
istrative council attached to the Finnish State
Office at st. Petersburg.
The constitution creates rigorous control OF
the public services, strict accountability OF all
public servants before the court, and DEGREES
that women are as eligible to public offices as
men. 1t declares that the Finnish army. which
later is to be created. must be differed exclu-
slvely by Finnish subjects.