The Yale expositor., 1918-04-18

~ he recently created republic
of Finland. where bloody, civil
warfare has ragged, lies in the
same latitude as Greenland
and Alaska. 1t is not small in size,
for Finland is about MS large as the
whole of France. The Finlanders
themselves speak of their land as
Su0men-maa, or Soumi. II is a region
Of lakes and granite rocks, much Of it
desolate and water-logged, where
winter reigns supreme for from seven
to nine months in the year. At least
one-ninth Of the surface is covered
with lakes and the greater part of the
rest is forest. Less than one acre in
thirty is arabic, but a somewhat larger
amount is suited for grazing.
We think of Greenland as a frozen
and desOlate land, fit only for the
abode of the hardy ESkimOs writes
Nevin o. Winter in the Christian Her
aid. And yet in Finland, in n severe
northern climate, has grown up Il
hardy and virlle race. Perhaps 1t was
because only the sturdiest could sur
vive under such conditions, for isola-
ton bred self-reliance and indus
try was necessary to existence. At
n rate the fact remains that
the Films have developed n civil
liZation that is unique and OF
interest. 1t is not surprising, to
one familiar with the Firms and
their history, to know that Il republic
has been proclaimed. No people are
more truly democratic. Under the
autOcratic rule of the cZars, Finland
maintained her democratic institu-
tons, and ii was the only part of Rus
STA where the traveller vas free to
move about without having u demand
made almost daily for his passport.
The Russian calendar. which is thir-
teen days behind our own, was ig-
nored, and in every way the public and
social customs differed from those Of
the Russians.
The Firms have always objected to
being classed as Russians. OF Mon
golian descent, they were among the
earliest of the Oriental races TO cross
the Urals and descend upon the fertile
plains of Russia. They were gradu-
ally driven TO the inhospitable North
by successive waves of immigration.
They are first cousins to the Magyars
Of Hungary and distant cousins of the
Turk, Like the Celts of Ireland, the
Films were never able TO establish an
independent state capable of resisting
the external pressure of TeutOn, Slav
and Turk. In the twelfth century
they were brought under the sway Of
the rowing Vikings, who organized a
crusade to convert the heather Films.
Annexed by Russia.
Since then the country has been buff
feted about between Sweden and Rus
STA. Peter the Great conquered a part
of It, but the entire country was not
annexed until n hundred and ten
years ago. Then it was really a union
and not an unconditional surrender.
The Car took the title of Grand Duke
of Finland, and as such he continued to
rule until the abdicatiOn of Nicholas III.
The fundamental laws Of the country
we're officially recognized and con-
frmed by each succeeding a%utocrat,
although In recent years there had
been much encroachment on the rights
of the Independent Firms in the at
tempt at classification. For this rea-
son there has been great unrest for
more than two decades.
Until 1898 Finland had not been re-
nuired to furnish soldiers for the I'M
perial Russian army. In that year the
rzar Informed the Diet (Congress)
that the military service must be q
TO conform to that of the rest of the
empire. Finnish susceptIbillties were
aroused, as this seemed but the open
ing wedge for the destruction Of all
their liberties. The people entered up
on n campaign of passive resistance
Every man, woman and child dressed
In mourning on the Sunday succeeding
the manifesto. Bells were tolled In
the churches, and places of amuse-
ment we're closed. Many thousands
emigrated to the United States.
Long Summer Days.
During the long winters daylight
lasts only three or four hours. On
the shortest days II Is even less. Then
Il is indeed. as most people think, a
land OF snow and ice. For three
months Il is so hot that the wealthy
residents seek summer resorts for
comfort. During that time II Is prac-
tically one long day. Not a star Is 10
be seen, and the Appearance of time OF
autumn frosts has arrived.