FINLAND'S RIGHTS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 113, 14 May 1910, Page 5

FINLAND'S RIGHTS.

MEMORIALS BY BRITISH AND IRISH M.P.'S. Bj Xeleer«pb.— Press Association.— Copyright. LONDON, 13th May. Memorials signed respectively by 120 British and 43 Irish Nationalist members of th© House of Commons have been sent to the Duma with reference to the proposal to deprive Finland of the constitutional rights she has hitherto | enjoyed. Early in March last the Czar signed ' a manifesto commanding the introduction in the Duma and the Imperial Council of a Bill concerning the procedure to be observable in the case of laws affecting Finland only and those of the Empire generally. It was order-ed that the Finnish Diet's views thereon must be submitted for the" Duma's and the Council's consideration. His Majesty was, said the manifesto, confident that the Duma and the Council would fulfil the task of promoting the unity and integrity of 'the Empire and the prosperity of all faithful subjects. The Finns were greatly incensed, as the measure reduces Finnish autonomy to an empty phrase.. On 30th March, by alarge majority, the Bill was referred to n committee. The Opposition objected, because the Bill violates the organic laws of the Graiid Duchy. Their arguments were well expounded by M. Miliukoff. The Diet, he said, was reduced from a legislative to a consultive assembly, inasmuch as the proposed changes would be enacted solely by the Duma. The proposed measure was worse than the annexation of Bosnia. The Octobribls insisted on the supremacy of the Duma in Imperial tiffairs.