Evening star., 1939-11-19

May Find Solution
To Political Minorities.
How political minorities are to be
dealt with, was cited by Col. Zillia-
Gus as one question on which Fin
land may be able to contribute to
the democratic process.
During its union with Russia,
Finland was a minority of $500 900
against 150,000,000, he pointed out,
but added: "Still there never has
been a more just cause than that
which the little Finnish minority
fought for. We in Finland, there
fore, have a clearer feeling than
other peoples have, of what it means
to be subjugated by majority"
Col Zilhacus warned against
dangers involved in the SUPPRESSION
of democratic rights in order to
combat agitation for dictatorship
and oppression of personal freedom.
"1f Finland can keep her ideals,
without damaging them when de-
Tending them, this, without any
doubt, is great help to the northern
democracies," he declared.
"The heavy experiences the Fin
rish people have lived through dur
ing the centuries of her history have
at the same time been an example
of what even a small nation can
stand If all her subjects feel sol-
darity toward their leaders and to-
ward each other" the speaker as
serted. This again is only possible
in a state where everybody has a
right to be himself and have his
share in the decisions about his
country's and his peoples destiny
Referring to the Swedish con-
quest of Finland completed in 1898
the speaker said the Firms were not
subsequently treated as slaves and
that law in 1885, passed by the
Swedish King, assured their freedom
from serfdom. He contrasted their
position with that of the peasants
of what is now Estonia and Latvia
and also with the peasants in Poland
and Germany and even in Denmark
and England.
Three Countries Resisted
Feudal System.
The only states which kept their
peasants free and independent and
with civil rights were Sweden, Fin
land and Switzerland he declared
adding that every attempt to estab-
ish feudal system in these coun.
tries was frustrated, "and usually
by the kings and peasants together.
Military CONSUMPTION of the peas.
ants in Sweden and Finland, where
the two countries were too pool
to keep mercenary armies, he said
contributed to their enjoyment o1
a democratic form of government
/ for he said, already in pagan
times, serving his time gave the
free man vote"
Even after Russia conquered Fin
land in 1909, he continued, indie.
pendence and citizenship and sell
government were not lost, for the
Russian conqueror promised to pre-.
serve the rights that had been en-.
joyed under Swedish rule. Russian
pressure, however, to govern FINLAND
according to imperial rules was con.
tinuous from 1898 to 1918, he said
when Finland gained her inde.
pendence.
Col. Zilliacus was presented by
Mrs. Lily r. Hunt, program chair
man, while Mrs. Wintemute w
Sloan presided in the absence oi
the president, Mrs. Edgar Boye
Kay.
The program also included q
musical program by Felian Garzia
well-known pianist of the city, who
chose selections by Finnish COM
posers.
Guests of honor at the tea, which
followed the address, were Nine
Solanko, wife of the secretary Of
the Finnish Legation; Sonora de
Munilla, wife of the military attache
Of the Cuban Embassy, and Senors
de GaZitua, wife of the counselor
Of the Chilean Embassy.
n.