While these military operations were
being carried on, Finland was becoming a
German province. Late in March an
American and an English officer, visiting
General Mannerheim at Vasa upon orders
from their legations, were threatened by
Finnish White Guard officers with personal
violence and turned out of the dining
room of the chief hotel. This incident
was described as characteristic of the
feeling existing among the majority of
Finns. On April 1 Vasabladet, the chief
Vasa newspaper, wrote: "No military
or other similar persons from any of
the countries at war with Germany
ought to be allowed to stay within the
borders of our country so long as we,
with the help of God and Germany, are
fighting our hard fight for liberty,
order, and justice against the barbarous
ally of the western powers." It appears
from a case reported on April 26
that the viséing of foreign passports by
Finnish officials depends now upon the
consent of the Berlin authorities.
Finland was proclaimed a republic in
December, 1917. It has always been one
of the most democratic countries in
Europe. It is asserted, nevertheless, that
the experiences through which the former
grand duchy has passed in the last six
months have converted many classes of
the population to monarchism. A Stockholm
dispatch dated May 8 declared that
a monarchy would probably be proclaimed
in Finland, and that Duke Adolph
Frederick of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, uncle
of the Crown Princess of Germany, would
be appointed King.
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