Carroll County democrat. (Huntingdon, Tenn.) 188?-1971, 1918-04-26

@w 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,
aor Finland is about as large as the
whole of France. The Finlanders
themselves speak of their land as
Suomen-maa, or Soumi. It is a region
sOf lakes and granite rocks, much Of 1t
'desolate and water-logged, where
winter reigns supreme for from seven
ITO nine months in the year. At least
sone-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
'amCdnt 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 yirile race. Perhaps 1t was
because only the sturdiest could sur
'Vlve under such conditions, for isola-
aion bred self-reliance and indus
try was necessary to existence. At
amy rate the fact remains that
fthe Films have developed a civil
slization that is unique and Of
interest. It is not surprising, to
some familiar with the Firms and
Itheir history, to know that republic
has been proclaimed. No people are
more truly democratic. Under the
iautocratic rule Of the czars, Finland
maintained her democratic instltu-
tions, and 1t was the only part of Rus
.sia where the traveller was free to
move about without having demand
made almost daily for his passport.
The Russian calendar, which Is thIr-
rteen days behind our own, was lg-
nored, and In every way the public and
social customs differed from those Of
ahe Russians.
The Firms have always objected to
being cIassed 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
gby 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 Firms.
Annexed by Russia.
Since then the country has been buff
feted about between Sweden and Rus
ssla. Peter the Great conquered part
of it, but the entire country was not
annexed until one hundred and ten
years ago. Then 1t was really union
land 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 II.
The fundamental laws of the country
were officially recognized and con-
'firmed 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 1893 Finland had not been re-
ouired to furnish soldiers for the Inn
Derlal Russian army. In that year the
GEAR Informed the Diet (Congress)
that the military service must be made
"a conform to that Of the rest Of the |
empire. Finnish susceptibIlltles were
as this seemed but the open
ing wedge for the destruction OF all |
their liberties. Thkpeople entered up
on a campaign of passive resistance
Every man, woman and child dressed
ii mourning on the 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
ne shortest days 1t is even less. Then
4 is indeed, as most people think. q
and Of snow and Ice. For three
months 1t Is so hot that the wealthy !
residents seek summer resorts for
comfort. During that time it is prac-
icaIly one Tong day. Not a star Is to
e seen, and the appearance Of time OF
autumn frosts has arrived |