Evening star., 1937-06-13
By Lucy Salamanca.

Vic II]OlIlCllJ. Lie dSSlSLdlIJ ullCClOl
Of the Bureau of Economic Defense
OF the Council of Finland. Arthur
Lehtinen, states: Finland has held
it self-evident that a debt must be
paid-and paid punctually-as a mat
ter Of course. In addition, she has
regarded this obligation as a pleasant
duty, inasmuch as the debt resulted
from events in which the United States
became instrumental in helping her
struggle to emerge from the ravages
of war and to stave off an alarming
food shortage"
The fact remains that Finland is
| country of comparatively meager ma
tural resources, depending upon the
export of lumber products for sur
viyal and upon agriculture. A good
part Of the country is north Of the
Arctic Circle, so that it is subjected
to severe climate, with compare
lively short Summers. Yet two-thirds
Of the population depends upon farm
ing and forestry for livelihood, and
cultivated land represents only 81 per
cent Of the total land area, with near
ly three quarters covered with forests
for Finland is the most densely wood
ed country in Europe.
IF ONE considers recent statistics ou.
OF Finland, there are some in
teresting highlights that may account
in measure for Finland's ability to
pay. Financially, the Republic of
| Finland's expenditures do not exceed
its income. There has been, in fact
something left over for extraordinary
expenditures in 1894, 1885 and 1886
She is living under a balanced budget
and better This is one indication Of
heartenlng stability. There is an
other factor that looms up i'm
portantly. That is that Finland ex-
ports more than she imports and is
very obviously building up strongly
| abroad
Lehtinen. Of the Council of Finland,
believes there are other rea sons why
| Finland has been able to make good
her promise to pay. These are the
/ AShlOllItJ vi VIC pophIdt'ViI, iiC ~
lieves, in adjusting itself to the emer-
! gency; the moderate economic policy
Of the government which has avoided
extreme compulsions and restrictions,
and the fortunate circumstances OF
| the country's ability to continue TO
sell her staple export commodities.
All these reasons are indices OF the
character and temperament OF the
Finnish people and the temper OF It's
government To understand either
one must be in measure familiar
with the land itself.
1t is a small country, with total
area of l49,98l square miles, of which
132.597 is land and 1884 is water.
The country abounds in lakes. The
capital is Helsinki-known in former
days by the Swedish name of Helsng-
fors. There is an estimated population
of 3,7OO0O0 people, or an average of
279 inha bltants per square miles OF
land-one of the most thinly popu-
lated European countries.
The Finnish people have lived under
difficult circumstances for centuries
and have been compelled to fight
against adverse natural and other con-
ditions. in order to wrest living from
their northern land. They have been
called upon, in so doing, to develop
perseverance. thrift and economy.
Historically, the land has been a con-
tinuous battlefield, during those CEN
turies when Russia, from time to time,
attempted to take it from Sweden. and
1t has known devastation after these
conflicts.
r USSIA occupied the greater part OF
Finland for a time in the first
quarter of the eighteenth century and
the country was drained by war, pesti-
lence and famine, while great num-
bers of Films were sent to Russia and
Siberia as prisoners. But from 1909
conditions became comparatively
peaceful until 1918. when Finland
freed herself from Russia in the War
OF Liberation.
These hardships, coupled with crop
destruction by frost in intervals OF
peace, have developed a tenacity that
is characteristic Of the Finnish people,
and an inherent adaptability to ad-
verse conditions. Unremitting effort
and extreme thrift alone enabled them
to overcome circumstances and those
of this nation who have come to
America are recognized for these same
dogged traits Of perseverance and
courage.
In this country, in fact, the immi-
grant Finn is highly regarded. The
out-of-doors life he has always led in
his own land has hardened him to
degree that has distinguished him
among other immigrants as an almost
perfect physical specimen, able to en-
dure hardships and hard work. The
city does not hold him long, for he
naturally gravitates to those States
where tall timber can try his mettle
and his skill, or where an out-of door
life promises him livelihood.
Finland is essentially an agricultural
country, and energetic efforts to in
crease Finnish production since the
war are now apparent in increased
CIOp ylclNS. ID Stll-
sufficient in barley, oats and potatoes,
while domestic production supplies
about IS per cent of the rye and 20
per cent or more of the wheat con-
sumption Exports of dairy products
have been stimulated by state export
premiums on bacon and eggs since
1929, and on butter and cheese since
the beginning of 1888.
Had it not been for the improve
ment in the timber market during
the past two years, the situation
of the Finnish farmer would have
been distressing, with the decline
of his valuable butter exports. But
as the majority of Finnish farm
holdings are wooded, the farmer is
able to maintain his family during
the Winter months by cutting and
selling logs, pitprops. pulp and fire.
wood. About IS per cent OF al