Page:Lars Henning Söderhjelm - The Red Insurrection in Finland in 1918 - tr. Annie Ingebord Fausbøll (1920).djvu/62

 besides provided with a lot of cannon, and to all intents and purposes they identified themselves with the Red, it was only natural that all sensible citizens looked to the future with anxiety.

In an excess of optimism it was, however, hoped that the alteration of the external position of the country would also carry along with it a fortunate solution of the internal problems. On the 4th December the Government solemnly, in the Lantdag, declared Finland to be an independent, neutral State. The Foreign Powers would be immediately communicated with in order to obtain recognition of her independence, and, with regard to the relations with Russia, this question would be submitted to the Russian Constituent Assembly on its meeting. If Finland's emancipation from Russia was once acknowledged, it was the general opinion that the departure of the Russian troops from Finland would come about of its own accord. And as the Bolsheviks were labouring to secure an early peace, and had commenced the demobilisation of the army immediately after the armistice, it looked as if the stay of the Russian military in Finland was not going to be of any great length. If the military again took its departure it would no longer be an impossibility to restore order in the country. When the corps of the Red Guard were deprived of their strongest support, they were sure to return to sense.

Thus it was argued under the influence of the bright prospects shown by foreign affairs. But the acts of violation were continued. On the 4th December the City Council at Tammerfors were locked in by great crowds of working-men who demanded higher wages, and refused to let the council disperse before their demands were granted. After being imprisoned for a day and a night under threats and bawling, the besieged were