Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1918-04-19
pE<. he recently created republic
of Finland, where bloody, civil
warfare has ragged. lies In the

or 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 Finlanders
themselves speak of their land as
Suornen-maa. or Soumi. It is a region
of iakes and granite rocks. much Of 1t
desolate and water-logged, where
Winter reigns supreme for from seven
to nlne 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 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 a severe
northern climate. has grown Up a
hardy and virile 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
any rate the fact remains that
the Firms have developed civil
llzation that is unique and Of
interest. 1T 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. Undee tho
autocratic rule Of the ezars. Finland
maintained her democratic instltu-
lions. and it asNhe only part of Rus
sia where the traveller was free 70
move about without having a demand
made almost daily for his passport.
The Russian calendar, which IS thir-
teen days behind our own, was is
nored, andin every way the public and
social customs differed from those of
the Russians.
The Firms hare always objected 20
being classed as Russians. OF Nom
golian descent, they were among the
earliest OF the Oriental races to cross
the Trails and descend upon the fertile
plains of Russia. They We're 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, Slay
and Turk. In thl 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 buff
feted about between Sweden and Rus
sin. Peter the Great conquered part
of 1T, but the eR-ire country WAS not
snnexed until one hundred and ten
years ago. Then K was really a union
and not an unconditional surrender.
The Gar took tie title Of Grand Duke
of Finland, and SIS such he continued 70
rule until the abdication OF Nicholas II.
The fundamental laws of the country
were officially recognized and con-
firmed by each succeeding antocrat,
although in recent years there had
been much encroachment On the rights
of the independent Films in the NJ
tempt at classification. For this rea-
son there has hem great unrest for
more than two decades.
Until 1898 Finland had not been re-
aulred to furnish soldiers for the i'm
periaI Russian army. In that year the
car informed the Dict (Congress1
that the military service must be made
to conform to that Of the rest Of the
empire. Finnish susceptibilities were
aroused, as this seemed but the OPEN
ing wedge for the destruction of all
their liberties. The people entered up
OF a campaign of passive resistance.
Every man. woman and child dressed
ia mourning on .Ie Sunday succeeding
the manifesto. Bells were tolled in
the churches. and places Of amuse-
ment were 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 IT IS even less. Then
Il is indeed. IS mos people think.
land Of snow and ice. For three
months II Is 30 hot that the wealthy
residents seek summar resorts FOR
During that time il is prac-
ticaIly one tong day. Not n star Is 70
be seen. and the appearance Of time Of
autumn frosts has arrived.