Though the conclusion was foregone, the Finnish debate in the
Duma on Saturday last was marked by some effective protests from thechampions of Constitutionalism. Thus MM. Maklakoff and Efremoff pointed out that all the arguments invoked by the supporters of the Bill could be equally well applied against the Russian Constitution, while M. Ittilinkoff warned the Duma that they would assume a terrible responsibility by adopting a measure so contrary to the experience of Empire- building. The Times correspondent also notes the answer of M. Mechelin in the Retch to M. Stolypin's argument that the Finns refuse to share military burdens. On the contrary, he shows that they have repeatedly tried to remove the illegal obstacles created under the Bobrikoff regime to Finnish military service. " Had the Finns succeeded, Russia would now dispose of eighteen thousand trained loyal troops." Ultimately, the entire Oppositien having withdrawn, the Bill passed its first reading after a vote of urgency,—which means that it cannot be amended. The unseemly rapidity of its passage appears to have displeased the moderate supporters of the measure. Though we deprecated strongly the ill-advised attempt of certain Members of Parliament to intervene in the internal affairs of Russia., we may with perfect propriety express our admiration for the courage, consistency, and wisdom shown by those Members of the Duma, who protested against the proposed legislation in regard to Finland.
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