The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-05-17

had been taken from Finland and annexed to Russia This promise has never been fulfilled, a change in rul- CTS taking place, followed by the well-known efforts at Russianiza- tion and oppression of Finland. The the Russian revolution the govern ment promised to carry out this agreement in return for certain con- sessions. The Finnish ice-free port on the Arctic will be located at the mouth of Petsamo fJord. neaS the Norwegian boundary. The railroad will be extended from its present northern terminus. Rovaniemi, to the new port This will give Finland an ocean port and will shorten the dis tance between that country and American considerably.
 The boundary question is not con fined to this, however, but another inn portant question arises on the eastern boundary. for the Russian side of this boundary, East karelia, Is inhabited chiefly by Finnish people, who have always longed for an opportunity of coming into governmental unity with Finland, because through language and history they are a part of Fin land, although wars and other factors have drawn boundary severing in two the lands inhabited by the Films. The territory inhabited by the Films on the Russian side of the boun- dary Is equivalent to two-thirds of the area of Finland From many regions of this territory of East Karelia, the inhabitants have sent petitions asking to be permitted to join Finland. This makes the boun dary question of vast importance viewed from ethnic standpoint and the hope of the Finnish people is that they may realize national unity on the principle of selfdeter- imitation. in the same way as the Poles and other nations have had their dreams of hundreds of years fulfilled.
 Securing Domestic Unity.
 A very important and delicate question in the reconstruction of Fin land is the return of domestic unity which war destroyed through the presence of Russian troops during the world war, and especially by the revolt which was instigated by the Russian RoIsheviki It is to be under stood that the bloody deeds perpe- trated during the civil war have aroused bitterness, the removal Of which Is no easy or nomentary task. It will take time for the wounds to heal so that the past events may be forgotten, and all work hand in hand for the good of the common father land. The work of reconciliation is being hindered by the agitation car ried on by the Bolsheviki from Rus sia and Sweden. It is not to be hoped that this agitation will cease until peace has returned to the rest of the world and the internal affairs or Russia have become settled. In Fin land this fact is appreciated in en- ughtened circles and legislative re- forms are being made contemplated to improve the conditions of the workmen and farmers, gradually do- ling away with the causes of discon- tent and restlessness. insofar as that is possible. Already greater pro- sress has been made along these lines in Finland than in many other countries, and 1t Is to be hoped that the ministry and the Diet will be able to selve all questions. of reform in manner satisfactory to the entire na- ton. and thus insure Q firm founda- ton for a new and independent Fin land based on a democratic form of government republic in which the governme ent is ''of the people, by the people. and for the people