Omaha daily bee., 1910-07-17
Russian Powers Seek Protection Of
Whole Empire.
lUoH EXCITEMENT OVER ARMS
Small States Protest Against Loss of
Name.
Firms ARE PATRIOTIC PEOPLE
Governor General AbOIfshes Native
Postage stamps, Thus wipins
out Individuality of the
Country. ..,.,...
BY GEORGE FRASER.


ST. PETERSBURG, July 16.--(speclai DIS
patch TO phe Bee)-The absorption of Fin
land by Russia was one of those tragedies
of high politics which was sad. but in
evitable. The best interests of the empire
required the elimination OF the ancient
grand duohy as semi-independent entity.
The point with Russia is that she considers
herself vulnerable at her Finnish frontier.
and wishes to be in position to take what
measures she thinks best for the protec-
ton of the Russian empire as a whole
| But Russia has rather spoilt her case In
the eyes of outsiders by practically follow
ing the lead OF the wolf in the fable who
accused the lamb of muddying the water
For example, great deal of excitement
was worked Up recently over the alleged
conspiracy of the Firms to smuggle arms
into the country. The facts are these;
One or two Finnish firms tried to evada
the prohibition against the saloon guns,
and their guns were smuggled into the coun.
try together with a few million cartridges.
This was part of a great Finnish plot
against Russia. but the millions of skins
Of all animals exported every year from
Finland more than accounts, to an I'M
biassed person. for. the cartridges and
| rifles imported.
! Part of Policy of Progress.
One other great point in favor Of Rus
sla's action is the general tendency in
Europe towards the gradual swallowing UP
OF small states, but II is not to be expected
that the small states will submit to lose
their individuality without a struggle.
This is particularly hard lines on an In
tensely patriotic people like the Firms, and
they fought the ground inch by inch as they
have seen themselves being swallowed up
by Russia. at.- .lA.A \
Since the present car came to the throne
the Russian government has been partiou-
larly determined IN It's onsIaughts, and In
1899 they sent to Finland as governor gem
eral Bobrikof, as implacabie enemy OF Fin
nish liberty. .tS $50
He was an overbearing officer who had
risen from the ranks, and he was 30 cor
daily hated by the Firms that when be
took a walk in the street any Firms who
saw him coming promptly crossed to the
other side. AT another time he patronized
a concert gotten up for charitable pur-
poses, and though the Firms bought up all
the tickets, not one Of them attended. He
caused the Finnish postage stamps to be
abolished, and ordered the use of Russian
stamps instead. To meet this the Firms
issued mourning stamp" all black ex-
cept the arm of Finland in red and stuck
1t on their letters beside the compulsory
Russian stamp. The Russian government
deprived the Firms of even this small satio-
faction; the sale of the stamp was forbid
den, and all letters bearing It were de-
stroyed.
Boycott ON n Senator.
One OF the Finnish senators who had sup
ported at Helsingfors, the Finnish capital.
BY the indiscretion of porter he secured
rooms in one hotel. When the manager
discovered who his guest was he asked
him to leave at once, but this the senator
refused to do. AS result, the public boy
cotted the hotel, and II was practically
ruined
Several petitions and Populations were
sent to the car, but the deputations he
refused to see and the petitions were IT,
nored. The crash came when a young
man OF good family and education assass.
mated General Bobrikof
Even this terrible affair did not stay
Russla's hand and the classification has
gone on more sternly than ever. During
the recent debate opposition, realizing tina
they had no change for fair discussion
; withdrew from the Duma, leaving tn,
government free hand. AS a result
thirteen complicated classes were passSt
in twelve minutes and the final reading
taken.
When the result was declared one OF tn
q moste determined OF the governments part!
q sprang to his feet, shouting triumphantly
"Finis Finlandiae''-'Th finish OF Fin
n landw