While ostensibly affirming the Finns' rights in purely local matters, the manifesto asserted the authority of the state in any and all matters which could be considered to "come within the scope of the general legislation of the empire."
Mens det tilsyneladende bekræftede finnernes rettigheder i rent lokale forhold, fastslog manifestet statens autoritet i enhver sag, som kunne antages at "ligge indenfor rammerne af den generelle lovgivning i kejserriget."