The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-08-06
NEW FINNISH DIET
IS FORMALLY OPENED AT THE
 PALACE.
In Speech from the Throne, the Mem- bers Were Reminded Sharply of Finlandis Obligation to
 ahe Empire


 Helsingfors, Aug. 6--The New Finnish Diet was formally opened at the palace today by Governor-Gsneral Boeckman. with the customary ceremonials. Tn the speech from the throne, the members of the new Diet who were elected last month, were reminded sharply of the nature of Finland's ob- ligations to the Empire and warned of the danger of separatists tendencies in the grand duchy. The words of the Emperor, who is also Grand Duke of Finland. impressed the representatives so deeply that the Diet decided to pre- pare It's reply behind closed doors, Only the Socialists who do not shrink from an open rupture, voted for pub lie debate.
 The Emperor'S speech was as fol- lowes
 .Aimost a century has passed since Finland became a part of the Russian Empire. Under the protection of his mighty power the grand duchy has at tained great material and intellectual progress.
 "To our regret, howavsr. the sense of solidarity between the Finnish pop ulation and the Russian nation and a realization of Finiand'g just obliga- tions toward the Russian Empire. uns der whose sovereign domination Fin land has been placed. have not devel- oped simultaneously. In the debates of the preceding Diet, views frequently were expressed showing the excess of an utterly false understanding of the position of this district in our empire and the duties incumbent upon the population of Finland by virtue Of this relationship. Finally. in decision of the last Diet, adopted March 1, an ex- tremeiy bitter criticism Of the meas ures undertaken by our sovereign was permitted. DIssolving that Diet we commanded new elections and con- voked the present Diet. We invoke the blessing of God upon your Iahors. and we firmly hope that they will be inspired by realization of the soli- darity Of the interests of this district with that of all Russia. We declare the Diet opened"
 The words of the Emperor were read three times, once ip the Russian, once in the Finnish and third time in the Swedish language,
 An intimation of the nature of the reply to the speech from the throne was given in the address of M. Swim huvud. President of the Diet. to Cow ernor General Boeekman. M. svinhu- vud took open issue with the throne on the matter of recent measures ex-
  ernment over the admission of Finland. Hs maintained the necessity of direct relatlons between tho Finnish and the Grand Duke of Finland, who is En- peror Nicholas. without the interven- ton os Russian Ministers The Pres ident of the Diet addressed the Cover nor-General as follows:
 Your Excellency--Accerdiu to the Constitution the newly elected Diet has been assembled in. anticipation of the regulation of finances and the en- actment of laws. Many important re- forms await realization and the Diet Is prepared to devote its attention and earnest zeal to these matters. The preservation of the political conditions and the legal order which the Fin nish people have attained their mate rial and spiritual development in un- impaired force appears to us as q con- dttion of further progress and the sep arate admission of Finland, together with important supervision and direct report upon matters of finance to the monarch, constitute the cornerstone of this legal order. Every measure not harmoniEing with this idea Is consid- cred a neglect Of the right of Finland and involving dangerous conditions. On this account several of the meas ures recently adopted have caused deep disquietude among the people and in the Diet The Constitution in this re- spect may strengthen the confidence which always should exist between the monarch and the people. request your excelleney to express to his maj esty, the Grand Duke. our feelings or loyal honor and devotion: for three cheers for Emperor Nieho- tnm