Page:Lars Henning Söderhjelm - The Red Insurrection in Finland in 1918 - tr. Annie Ingebord Fausbøll (1920).djvu/90

 Through Russian agency the thought has been spread among our people that in Finland, too, a democratic evolution is only possible through an internal revolution. Such elements among our people, in whom such a thought has been inculcated, have been armed by Russian agency, and thus our country has been brought to the verge of civil war. On the part of the military here stationed during these last days, the most flagrant interference in the internal affairs of Finland has taken place, revolting outrages against the life, property and liberty of Finnish citizens have been committed. And, what is most to be regretted, some Finnish citizens have on their part incited the Russian troops to this, and together with them raised their weapons against Finnish fellow-citizens, and together with them committed outrages and crimes.

"Although they have obtained power from the Lantdag to work for the establishment of a strong police force, the Government of Finland have not the means to maintain peace and order in the country, as long as the Russian troops here resident act as a threat to all peaceful life by supporting the felonious elements in the country.

"In view of this the Government of Finland have considered it their duty to enter a protest before the Government of Russia against the interference of the Russian troops resident in Finland in the internal affairs of Finland, and again to demand the withdrawal of these troops from Finnish territory. In like manner the Government have considered it their duty to forward to the Foreign Powers, which have acknowledged our independence, a note protesting against the presence of the undisciplined Russian troops and against their outrages.

"The Government of Finland find it necessary also to appeal to all Finnish fellow-citizens. Only by a