FINLAND'S FATE.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIV, Issue 1, 3 January 1910, Page 7

FINLAND'S FATE.

RUSSIAN PREPARATIONS

The Russian Government are rushing troops into I'inland as fast as possible- A full army corps will have been thrown into the country by the end of the year. Tavastehus and| Helsingfors are to be the two centres of the~ military forces, which mainly consist of Cossacks and mountain artillery. Heavy reinforcements are also' being hurried into Viborg province, and the proposed annexation will probably cause fca rising there. An Englishman just arrived from Viborg tells me that the excitement is very great. Foreign bondholders have requested intervention in Viborg for the protection of their loans. Batteries have been already erected on islands commanding this town. The> outcry against the proposed annexation of the province of Viborg ■made by several of the leading Liberal pagers in St. Petersburg may, for a time, prevent the Russification of the Grand Duchy of Finland. ; It is, however, feared, with good reason, that the carefully-laid plans of Russian Government, with regard to the., termination of Finland's position as a semi-autonomous State will be carried out as early as possible. It is .not long since M. Stolypin held an important meeting of Ministers with reference to this question, when it was unanimously decided that the province of Viborg should b© incorporated, with Russia before the new year. Daring the* debate the majority of the Ministers present expressed the opinion that, the -separation of the province was an administrative measure, and that it was therefore unnecessary to ask the advice either of the Imperial Council of State or of the Duma.

The Finnish Secretary of State is believed to have already tendered his resignation.

At the Ministerial conference it was decided to strengthen the garrison1 in Finland with another army corps, and that the Imperial bodyguard of Cossacks (comprising one xegiment> should be despatched to Finland. It is expected that strong detachments of troops will be sent to all the principal stations between the frontier and Viborg, ivhich is eightyseven miles from St. -Petersburg. The most significant preparations are, however, being made at Sveaborg (Russia's Gibraltar), which do^ot speak well for the good intentions of the Russian authorities.

The fortress island of Harraka, which played such an important part in the last mutiny of the garrison, and which is in the closest proximity to Helsingfors, is being made ready for possible hostilities. This fortification is being strengthened, and the work of blasting the rocks continues daily. It is worthy of note that these new fortifications and embrasures do not command the Channel and the Gulf, but the town of Helsingfors. In the central fortress preparations are also being made, so that the batteries can, in case of need, the more easily command the capital with their cannon.

It is evident from these and other military preparations which are now being made by Russia that the Finns have no chance if they attempt an armed resistance to the carefullymatured plans of the Russian Government. .

The province of Viborg, which is shortly expected to be incorporated' by the Russian Government, was in 1721 and 1743 ceded to Russia by Sweden; but afterwards, in 1811, united to Finland proper, together with the province of St. Michael. The province, which occupies about one-eighth of the area of Finland, contains a population of about 500,----000 persons. The Capital of the province is Viborg, =a beautiful city, with a large export trade with England and Germany; Viborg is also famous for its ancient castle, captured from Sweden Huring the wars with Peter the Great.

The province, which is exceedingly prosperous, also contains ;the towns of Kotka, Frederikshan, Vilmanstrand and Sordavala. The exports of timber, wood-pulp, butter and other produce from the above-mentioned ports to England are already very considerable, and are increasing annually- ■