PROHIBITION IN RUSSIA

Evening Star, Issue 15817, 31 May 1915, Page 4

PROHIBITION IN RUSSIA

A MODF.RN MIRACLE, Relieving that the recent ukase prohibiting the use of vodka and other forms: of alcohol in was probably merely of the natuie of a. counsel, „f perfection" directed ai Hie messes and not p. realitv (fays Mr C.,[. S. Uioomhall. of the Liverpo.,l Corn )•.:,-. lumre. in a communication to the •Economist']. I wrote to an English frimd long resident in Smith Russia,"and have received his- ,«ph. which I think will be found of inkuvst by all your readers. P will he seen that 'the prohibition in veiy much oi a reality, and affects both inh and poor alike The letter is dated -Maieh 5. Xicohiicif. South Russia., and leads as -ollous: "As le.jard.s th« vodka, prohibition. I consider it as one of the most remarkable letups \vhi:h lias taken place in modern .-ocad and economic history. The prohih:t.ion is !c;dly a root-ami-branch one. not only :is regards vodka, and other spirits. le.i! ;iso ; n most parti- as regavds wine, v. hidi P the oidimvy beverage of the better-paid classes. |{ j 3 no( . possible (o puic.ire vodka, by any nics'if, the salt; heme: a.hsoiiiKh- prohibited. Jt. hap absoliuely disappeared from the tables of the i:eh. and cannot be obtained even Mirrep-titi.m-sly by the poor. Tt. do not tav there may not still b- a little left in odd holes and 'omeis which is being secretly sold, but this i.- a .negligible quantity. It is <_>.\. i.fcdaig!;.- difficult to obtain, even win-e on a doctor's order, the. doctors being tixceediivdy careful about a permit for their patients. Even beer is prohibited bv local option in a. gurat many places, Xicolaioff n.eluded, to that we are really teetotallevs. P is. the nearest, approach to a. miracle or Utopia that one can bavc in these days of libeuv of the subioel to do what he likes. "The result has been equal to a revol'.iI'on. Duinkenness, the- eur.se, of the Ensv.ai; peasant and wotkman. kts hi*::ii ;l bso. !ta< Iv stamped out. -Workmen work regu''"id their wives and families reap the benefit, tic increased expenditure it; food and clothing he ; ng i-emarfcable. Ab the food and clothing sb.ops h.erc are doing a full businet-s. notwithstanding tins war, and one Hardly •>,:<■s a poorly-diessed pei■son. ar.<l very few be._f.rar.-:* which were formerly legion in the vicinity of the Goycriiineiit vodka shops for retail sale. The deposits in the post oilier-, savings banks have also considerably increased/ In tbo he ; .inniin,' J was .much concerned for the .-tabiliiy of Russian tinancc when, the Government voluntarily gave u]i an income m t-bout 90 millions of pounds sterling, fearing tliat it would grave.lv prejudice their possibility of catryine;- on the war for a loriL' time. Afitn- seven months of WAV. and obs.av-.tion of he ofticioucv which has be:vi gained in the civil and iniiitarv ranks ot the country. I really begin to think that even aheadv in a piucto'cal financia! sense the excellent results of the reform rend tepavnvj: the loss of revenue. The irorking classes and peasants are 4top in their blessings on the new law, more especially the women, who felt the yoke of vodka not only in the. desliUitioF- it. brought into their'homes. hut in the oniol heatings it brought to wives and children in a. country where a husband is still allowed to inflict corporal chastisement on. his wife in certain cases."