The Seward gateway., 1914-11-06
PETRoGRAD IN WAR TIME

NiVh III VbiV6ioN To NNiN ih ANN ter appearing in the Berliner of Sept ember 23, which reads in part as follows:
 "On the whole the government does it's best to protect the life and prop erty of the foreigner-even the Ger man. It has in this the support of the military authorities. During the days of the mobilization it was different, of course. But now one sees everywhere posters warning against the molesta- tioD of foreigners, and which call up- on those who may have been mistreat- ed to make prompt reports, promising severe punishment for the offenders. What is more the promises are srictly kept, and persons guilty of excesSes against foreigners have been heavily punished.
 In order to minimize the chances for trouble it was thought best that German firm names make place for inscriptions in Russian, and the Ger mans were asked to refrain as much as possible from speaking their lang guage in public. But the best measure for the protection of the foreigners undoubtedly was the prohibition of the sale of strong alcoholic beverages. Petrograd today has the appearance of being a city of sober people. While formerly one beheld everywhere the repulsive, beastly state of intoxication of the hooligan-the mob with whom nobody was safe-today the street scenes of the capital are more in- viting.
 "The many extra editions of the newspapers speak constantly of vict- ories of the Russians and French over the Germans and it is asserted that the former are already near Berlin. Foreign papers are vigorously excl"d- ed, and since even the many wounded are not permitted to come into contact with the public or see even their relat- ives, there is no difficulty keeping he Russian public under the impression that the Russians are really near Berlin.
 "There are no more tourists and the hotels are empty. In the hotels, more over, everything has become very dear. A bottle of beer which formerly cost from 20 to 20 kopeks, now costs 40, while a glass costs 25 instead of 13. Food, on the other hand, has be- come cheaper. The war has absolutely put a stop to exports, and prices, there fore, have gone down. Ten fresh eggs, for instance cost 30 kopeks, and fine fat geese, which formerly cost S1s to 4 roubles can now be had for 1.20 roubles. Coke can no longer be had at any price, the small supply on hand having been confscated by the m;li- tary. The navy is badly off for coal, it's boilers being arranged for English coal, and Russian coal, which it is not even possible to get in sufficient quan- titles, cannot be used by the navy without serious injury to the boilers. Most factories lack raw material, es- pecially iron. There is also a serious shortage in medicaments and band ages of all sorts, which formerly were imported from Germany.
 "Since none of the court ever comes to Petrograd one sees but seldom members of the best society, who are mostly in mourning on account of the Russian elite troops having lost many officers in the fighting in East Prus- sia, the majority of whom belonged to the capitals best circles.
 "only the casualties in the commis- stoned personnel are published. Those who wish information concerning non- commissioned officers and privates are obliged to make inquiry at the min istry. This method has so far enabled the Russian government to keep the tremendous losses of the army from the multitude. Notwithstanding this depression grows daily, due to the fear that with the rumored defeat oi the North Army. Petrograd may be come the objective of an attacl; by either land or water. The rumor that the Austrian army has not been total ly annihilated as had been claimed is
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