The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1918-06-07
. he recently created republic
of Finland, where bloody, civil
warfare has ragged, lies in the

| 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 as large as the
whole of France. The Flnlanders
themselves speak of their land as
Suomen-maa, or Soumi. 1t is region
of lakes and granite rocks, much Of 1t
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 frozen
and desolate land, fit only for the
abode Of the hardy Esklmos writes
Nevin 0. Winter In the Christian Her
ald And yet in Finland, In severe
northern climate, has grown up
hardy and vlrile race. Perhaps it 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
any rate the fact remains that
the Films have developed civil
ization that Is unique and of
interest. It Is not surprising to
one familiar with the Films and
their history, to know that republic
has been proclaimed. No people are
more truly democratic. Under the
autocratic rule of the czars. Finland
maintained her democratic institu-
lions, and 1t was the only part of Rus
STA where the traveller was free to
move about without having a demand
made almost daily for his passport.
The Russian calendar, which Is thr-
teen days behind our own, was lg-
nored, and in every way the public and
social customs differed from those of
the Russians.
The Films have always objected to
being classe6 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
Firms 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 Firms. |
Annexed by Russia.
Since then the country has been buf- |
feted about between Sweden and Rus
sia. Peter the Great conquered part |
of 1t. but the entire country was not |
annexed until one hundred and ten |
years ago. Then 1t was really a union |
and not an unconditional surrender |
The Gar took the title Of Grand Duke
of Finland. and as such he continued to
rule until the abdication OF Nicholas II.
The fundamental laws OF the country
were officially recognized and con-
trmed by each succeeding autocrat.
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-
quired to furnish soldiers for the Inn
perial Russian army. In that year the
ear Informed the Diet (Congress)
that the military service must be made
to conform to that Of the rest of the
empire. Finnish susceptiblllties were
aroused. as this seemed but the open
ng wedge for the destruction of all
heir liberties. The people entered up
IN campaign Of passive resistance.
Every man. woman and child dressed
n mourning on the Sunday succeeding
he manifesto. Bells were tolled In
he churches, and places OF amuse-
nent were closed. Many thousands
.migrated to the United States
Long Summer Days
During the long winters daylight
asts only three or four hours. On
he shortest days 1t Is even less. Then .
I Is indeed, as most people think. a
and OF snow and Ice. For three |
months 1t is so hot that the wealthy !
seek summer resorts for
comfort. During that time 1t is prac-
ically one long day Not a stsr is to I
re seen, and the appearance OF time OF 1
utumn frosts has arrived