Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 99, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 May 1918 — ANOTHER NEW REPUBLIC [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

ANOTHER NEW REPUBLIC

The recently created republic of Finland, where bloody, civil warfare has raged, lies in the same latitude as Greenland and Alaska. It is not small in size, for Finland is about as large as the whole of France. The Finlanders themselves speak of their land as Suoinen-mua, or Sound. It is a region of lakes and granite rocks, much of it desolate and water-logged, where winter reigns supreme for from seven to nine months in the year. At least one-ninth of the surface is covered with lakes and the greater part of the rest is forest. Less than one acre in thirty is arable, but a somewhat larger amount is suited for grazing. We think of Greenland as a frozen and desolate land, fit only for the abode of the hardy Eskimos writes Nevln O. Winter in the Christian Herald. And yet in Finland, in a severe northern climate, has grown up a hardy and virile race. Perhaps it was because only the sturdiest could survive under such conditions, for isolation bred self-reliance and industry was necessary to existence. At any rate the fact remains that the Finns have developed a civilization that is unique and of Interest. It is not surprising, to one familiar with the Finns and their history, to know that a republic has been proclaimed. No people are more truly democratic. Under the autocratic rule of the czars, Finland maintained her democratic institutions, and it was the only part of Russia where the traveler was free to move about without having a demand made almost daily for his passport. The Russian calendar, which is thirteen days behind our own, was ignored, and in every way the public and social customs differed from those of the Russians. The Finns have always objected to being classed as Russians. Of Mongolian' descent, they were among the earliest of the Oriental races to cross the Urals and descend upon the fertile plains of Russia. They were gradually driven to the Inhospitable North by successive waves of immigration. They are first cousins to the Magyars of Hungary and distant cousins of the Turk. Like the Celts of Ireland, the Finns were never able to, establish an Independent state capable of resisting the external pressure of Teuton, Slav and Turk. In the twelfth century they were brought under the sway of the roving Vikings, who organized a crusade to convert the heathen I inns. Annexed by Russia. Since then the country has been buffeted about between Sweden and Russia. Peter the Great conquered a part of it, but the entire country was not annexed until one hundred and ten ybars ago. Then it was really a union and not an unconditional surrender. The Czar took the title of Grand Duke of Finland, and as such he continued to rule until the abdication of Nicholas 11. The fundamental laws of the country were officially recognized and confirmed by each succeeding autocrat, although in recent years there had been much encroachment on the rights of the independent Finns in the attempt at Russification. For this reason there has been great unrest for more than two decades. Until JB9B Finland had not been required to furnish soldiers for the Imperial Russian army. In that year the czar Informed the Dik (Congress) that the military service must be made to conform to that of the rest of the empire. Finnish susceptibilities were aroused, as this seemed but the opening wedge for the destruction of all their liberties. The people entered upon a campaign of passive resistance. Every man, woman and child dressed in mourning on the Sunday succeeding the manifesto. Bells were tolled FIT the churches, and places of amusement were closed. Many thousands emigrated to the United States. Long Bummer Day*. Durlpg she long winters daylight laats only three or four hours. On the shortest days it is even less. Then It l* Indeed, as most people think, a lahd of snow and Ice. For three months it is so hot that the wealthy residents seek summer resorts for Mmfort. Daring that time It is practically one long day. Not a star is to be seen, and the appearence of time of autumn frosts has arrived.

During my visit, evening twilight had scarcely disappeared before the morning twilight chased the gloom of night away. One could read out of doors until after eleven o’clock. These long days, with scarcely any night, force vegetation to grow at a hothouse pace. Land and water have no time to cool. Summer comes in this strange land with a sudden burst of flowers, sunlight antj birds. Finland Is a land of pine and firclad hills, for only a comparatively small portion seems to be cleared. The most of the country is fairly level, so that It has not the grandeur of the Scandinavian kingdom. In the cleared portions stand neat little wooden cottages, which are usually kept freshly painted, red being the favorite color. Surface drain ditches .are made in the cultivated fields every few rods, and all seems most carefully tilled. Helsingfors, the capital of Finland, is one of the interesting towns of Europe. Water seems to surround it on every side. It dates back to 1550, when it was founded by the Swedish king Gustavus Vasa, and the liberties of'a town were immediately conferred upon the little hamlet as a special favor. From the water side it is protected by the great fortress of Sveaborg. which is called the “Gibraltar, of the Baltic,” and of which one occasionally reads in the news dispatches. The highest point In Helsingfors is crowned by a great and imposing Lutheran church, and the majority of the Finns are adherents of this faith. Scenes In Helsingfors. Through the center of Helsingfors runs a great boulevard, known as the Esplanade-Gatan, and this is the center of life in summer? The schools close for these months and everybody enjoys one long holiday so far as possible. One day seems almost to melt into another. The young women one sees in Helsingfors are of the blueeyed, flaxen-baired type, for the Swedish type seems to prevail here. Young girls, almost to the end of their ’teens, wear their hair in two flaxen braids that hang down the back. They have the same social freedom as their sisters on this side of the Atlantic. The market of Helsingfors is an excellent place to study the Finns and their characteristics. From all oveh the surrounding country the peasants drive into the towns with their produce, and sell it direct to the townfolk. A small farmer may have killed a sheep or pig. and may be observed driving a keen bargain for the best cuts. Another has a few tiny kegs of butter covered with a layer of grass to keep it cool. Under old cotton umbrellas sit the market women with highly colored waists and black or white handkerchiefs tied their heads. In a small basin are the boats of the fishermen just in from their catch. The housewives or maids pass from one stall or boat to another, inspecting their wares. A little after noon the fishermen and market merchants, who have come by sea, set sail, the cotton umbrellas come down, the wagons roll away, and the entire market disappears as by magic.

The market Square of Heisingfors.