While ostensibly affirming the Finns' rights in purely local matters, the manifesto asserted the authority of the state in any and all matters which could be considered to "come within the scope of the general legislation of the empire."
A pesar de afirmar aparentemente os dereitos dos finlandeses nos asuntos puramente locais, o manifesto afirmou a autoridade do estado en calquera materia que puidera considerarse dentro "do alcance da lexislación xeral do imperio".