Omaha daily bee., 1910-06-12
TROUBLE BESETS FINLAND
Russianization of Country is Cause
of Discomfort.
FORCE TO BE USED IF NEEDED
New Finish Bill Against which Pro-
test Is Urged ls a Far Reach
ing Mensure-Other
Phases.
BY GEORGE FRASER.


ST. PETERSBURG, June 1I.-(Speclal
Dispatch to The Bee)-That there is serious
trouble ahead in Finland as a result of the
passage Of the new Finnish bill is not
doubted here, but the Russianization of
Finland will be carried forward regardless
of protest and with whatever force is
necessary. so a repetition OF the atrocities
of the Bobrlkoff administration with an
era OF futile but bloody uprlsings, and prob
ably reckless assassinations may be
looked for.
How very far reaching the measure is
will be seen from the list of subjects
enumerated in the bill as being under the
Jurisdiction OF the Russian Parliament. The
latter will be authorized to fix the parti-
cipation of Finland in the expenditure of
the empire and to impose taxes for this
purpose, thus depriving the Finnish people
OF one of the primary rights of con-
stitutlohally governed country, the right Of
taxing itself.
Rights of Russian Subjects.
1t will be empowered to determine the
rights of Russian subjects in Finland,
provision clearly aiming at the introduce
ton of Russian offlcaldom in conflict with
one of the fundamental principles of the
Finnish constitution, that the country shall
be governed with the assistance of native
authorities only. 1t will be able to 'constl-
tute, in the interests of the empire, ex-
ceptions to the Finnish criminal law of
procedure"-and thus to interfere with the
administration of justice. 1t will be en-
titled to legslate on popular education, on
the right of holding public meetings and Of
forming associations, on the press on the
importation OF foreign literature, on the
customs relations between the two coun-
| tries. on trade marks and copyrights, on
the monetary system, on means of COM
munication, on navigation and on the rights
of aliens in Finland. 1t is difficult to I'M
derstand what questions will be left for the
Finnish Diet to deal with. Moreover, the
bill contains a saving clause to the effect
that amendments to the bill shall be made
by the Russian legislature alone.
Chance for Firms.
! The only provision which gives Finnish
Views a chance of consideration in these
vast fields of legislation consists in this,
that legislative proposals, before being
ultimately decided by the Duma or Council
Of Empire, to be communicated to the
! Finnish Senate for its opinion, and that the
Finnish people are to sbe represented In
the Council OF Empire by one member and
in the Duma by four members.
1t is evident that these few Finnish MEM
bers could not do much and as for the
Finish Senate, 1t must be remembered that
it is a body nominated by the car.
The Finnish Diet has unanimously de-
clared that it's provisions cannot be re-
garded as valid in Finland. Consequently
whenever an attempt is made to execute
law enacted under the procedure out
lined in the bill there will be resistance
Finnish judges, administrative officials and
individuals who may be affected by such
a law will declare that they cannot com
ply with 1t, since it. has been Illegally en-
acted and Is in conflict with the constl-
| tuition which, they have sworn to uphold
And then the history OF the Bobrikoff erG
will repeat itself. Judges and officials Will
be summariy deposed, private persons i'm
prisoned, exiled or deported to remote part,
OF Russia.
Other Phases of Problem.
There are other consequences OF tn,
measure which viii seriously affect foreigI
countries such as customs and navigation
The present bill paves the way for the ex
tension to Finland of the prOhlbtive Rus
sian tariffs so unsuited 10 the economi
conditions Of the grand duchy. where man.
Industries depend on foreign imports.
With regard to navigation. the plot AM
lighthouse service. the fixing OF harbo
I dues, and so on, will be made dependen
, on Russian legislation. An imperial com
nilsson is now sitting to report on thi
measure, and 1t has been suggested tina
, the Finnish pilot service should be trans
} muted into a Russian department Tn
I Finnish pilots have been greatly alarme
1 by this prospect and they have declare
r that they will resign II the measure is car
E ried through. And substitutes will nc
r easily be found II the pilot service is {
4 be Russianized the risks attending navlga
ton will be so great as to make any un