FINNISH AUTONOMY.

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 May 1910, Page 6

FINNISH AUTONOMY.

DESTROYED BY THE RUSSIAN DUMA,

[UEII PRESS ASPORTATION—COPYRIGHT,] ST. PETERSBURG, May 20. The Committee of the Duma has approved of the Governments Bill, destroying the autonomy of Finland, but suggests that the burnish Diet should be consulted on legislation affecting the country. The Committee declares that the Russian Senate must bo Supreme over Finnish laws. The minority of tile Octobrist party deprecates the clause relating to the press and public meetings*

The relations hitherto existing between Russia and Finland, were peculiar. Nominally under the rule and government of the Czar, Finland was the most independent country on the Continent. She had all that the rest of Russia had nut. She had complete legislative independence, ail Army free from Imperial coni red, Judges win. Were not removable save by the Finnish Parliament, a Secretary of State who was responsible to the Diet, manhood and womanhood suffrage, and m> House of Lords, 'The contrast was striking, but, unfortunately, Die Finns would appear to have lust their heads. They forgot that Russia was still their over-lord, they passed some exceptionally radical legislation, and worst of all, they became the happy resort Tor all the malcontents, revolutionaries, and conspiracy-hatchers ia Die Empire. It. was therefore merely n matter of time when, the Government would step in. That, time apparently has now come. The Premier, M. Stolypin speaking in the Duma, fold its members that legislation would be introduced to place Finland's relation with Russia on a more national basis. The seriousness of the situation from the standpoint of St. Petersburg is that Finland openly harbors revolutionaries, and tiiat plots of an infamous character are there prepared. There is ample evidence as to the reality of the evil. The Voima, for example, is a secret organisation of great activity, having for its object the separation of Finland from the Empire. Of its work some insight may be gained by reference to a series of questions which a few weeks since the members of the Right submitted to the Government. The latter were then asked whether they were aware—

1. Of the fact that there exists in Finland a secret society, the Voima., having for its aim the complete' independence of Finland. 2. That several members of flic Finnish Administration are active members of that society. 3. That this criminal organisation has arms imported from abroad among the population. 4. That two chiefs of police (whose names are given) have taken part in this matter.

5. That, the society have issued a number of appeals and proclamations summoning the Finnish people to a irencral rising.

A second interpellation asked whether the Government are aware that most of the political crimes that hav made Russia run with blood and most (! f the attempts against the safety of (ho Slate commi'ted during the last few years have been prepared in Finland* ami that the criminals have found r*uge there. It is as a result of these questions (hat M. Stolypin's legislation has been promulgated.