The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1914-11-26
Prohibition in Russia.

Prohibition in Russia.
PETRoGRAD, Nov. Is. There is pro-
hibition in Russia today, prohibition
which means that not drop of vodka,
whskey, brandy, gin or any other strong
liquor is obtainabe from one end to the
other of a territory populated by $780,
100000 people and covering one-sixth of
the habitable globe.
The story of how strong drink has
been utterly banished from the Russian
Empire is described by Michael Demi-
trovitch Tchelisheff, the man directly re-
sponsible for putting an end to Russia's
great vice, the vodka habit.
In should be said that the word prohi-
bition in Russia must be taken literally.
1t does not imply partially successful
attempt to curtail the consumption OF
liquor in secret places, the abuse OF med
ical licenses and general evasion and
subterfuge. 1t does mean that vast
population who consumed 81, 900, DOC, 900
worth of vodka year has been compell-
ed virtually over night to stop, to let no
liquor pass its lips.
On the day that the Russian Army be-
gan mobilization special policemen visit
ed every public place where vodka is
Sold looked up the supply of the liquor
and placed on the shop the Imperial seal.
Since the manufacture and sale of vodka
is a Government monopoly in Russia, 1t
is not difficult thing to enforce prohl-
bitiOn.
MARVELLOUS RESULTS.
From the day this step was taken,
drunkenness vanished in Russia. The
results are seen at once in the peasantry;
already they are beginning to look like
different race. The marks of suffering,
the pinched looks of illness and improper
nourishment have gone from their faces.
There has been also remarkable
change in the appearance of their clothes.
Their clothes are cleaner and both the
men and women appear more neatly and
better dressed. The destitute character
of the homes of the poor have been re-
placed with something like order and
thrift In Petrograd and Moscow the re-
suit is startling.
This miracle has been virtually accom-
plished by one man, Mr.. Tchelishetf.
peasant by birth, originally a house
painter, then Mayor of Samara, and now
a millionaire. Physically he is giant,
standing over 6 feet four inches IN his
stockings, and of powerful build. 80
wears old, but showing the energy OF
youth, with eyes animated and his black
hair untinged by gray.
ORDER AT MOBILIZATION.
He says he long ago was convinced OF
the evils of the vodka, but not till seven
! 4 h. how
tunity. As Alderman and Mayor success
sively and then in the Duma, he pressed
for prohibition of vodka. He secured
an audience with the Gar, laying before
him the evidence that liquor caused the
Navv reyolts at Svaborg, Kronstadt and
Sebastopol and the military mutinies
His efforts were baked by the Finance
Minister, who asked where the $500, OOO,-
600 revenue from vodka was to be Sc
cured.
"Mobilization precipitated the anti
vodka measure, said Mr.. Tchelisheff.
"The Grand Duke, remembering the
DISCRIMINATION due to drunkenness dur
ing the mobilization of 1904, ordered the
prohibition of all alcoholic drinks except
in clubs and first-class restaurants.
"This order, enforced for one month,
showed the Russian authorities the value
of abstinence. In spite of the general
depression caused by the war, the paral-
ysis of business, the closing of factories
and the interruption of railroad traffic,
the people felt no privation.
"Sayings banks showed an increase in
deposits over the preceding month and
over the corresponding month of the
preceding year. At the same time,
there was a boom in the sale of meats,
groceries, clothing, dry goods and house
furnishings. The 10000. 900 rubles day
paid for vodka were now being spent
for the necessities of life. The average
working week increased from three and
four days to SIX. ;"
PROHIBITION COMPLETE.
An energetic press campaign ensued
against the licenses to privileged restau-
rants and clubs, supplemented by petit
lions to the proper authorities, brought
an order aboIishing them, and strong
liquor was no longer available in Russia.
I 1.-The second month of abstinence,
said Mr.. Tcheliskeff, "made the mani
fold advantages so clear to everybody,
that when we called upon His Majesty
| to thank him for his recent orders he
promised that the vodka business OF the
Government would be given up forever.
This purpose was promulgated IN tele-
gram to the Grand Duke Constantine:
'There has been introduced in the Du-
ma bill offering solution of the rev.
enue question. The aim of this bill IS
not the creation of new taxes or an IN
crease in the present taxes, but an effort
to render the Government domains and
possessions more productive.
The name-Doan's inspires confidence-Doan's