The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-10-09
Prohibition and Prohibition

In an editorial In last Sunday Age Herald some account was given of the prohibition of vodka in Russia. The facts set forth emanating from the Russian minister of finance were of } more than ordinary interest. Vodka, which is a strong alcoholic drink, had been abused in Russia as liquor has been abused in other countries, includ- ing the United States.
 Soon after the European war was under way the Czar signed an imperial order prohibiting the sale of vodka. That was only two months ago, but since the indulgence in vodka was prohibited, there has been, according to reports, an improvement in social conditions in certain parts of the Czar's empire. The improvement in southern Russia is said to have been particularly remarked
 The outbreak of the war precipi- tated the prohibition of vodka. The imperial decree was supposed to be only temporary, but noting the i'm provement in certain communities where the men had been stupefied by drink, the Czar decided to continue the prohibition order indefinitely after the war was ended. The Age Herald in presenting the facts last Sunday concluded it's article as follows Naturally the war has something to do with the absence of revelry, and no country can shake off the curse of drink in a few months-vodka is particularly injurious-but here seems to be fine subject matter for our pro- hibition friends, who should not, how ever, overlook the fact that an inn perial edict has considerably more weight in Russia than mere pro- hibition law has in this country. A -Czar can enforce prohibition, whereas a free and enlightened people, can not"
 Our esteemed contemporary, the Selma Journel, refers to The Age Herald's conclusion as foolish" It says that this newspaper "puts itself in the foolish position of admitting that Russia can enforce her laws and edicts, but the United States of Amer. ica, the greatest nation on the face of the globe, cannot do the same thing"
 ,Phe Journal argues thus:
 Saying that we cannot enforce a i, prohibition law sounds like saying an Neiephant cannot push a go-cart.
 f this statement was the truth we'd never admit it, and at the same l time claim that Russia can and will enforce her prohibition laws"
 Despite the fact that this is the t@entieth century, Russia still main- talns a despotic government. The Emperor is still a Czar with powers < which make him, if not an absolute monarch, almost such. When he orders the prohibition of vodka those 4f his subjects who are disinclined tc obey the law can be brutally dealt witt and are dealt with as felons. The Czar is at liberty to enforce imperia decrees at the point of the bayonet.
 In this country we govern differ. ently. Prohibition politicians have 2 way of remarking that because mur- ders are committed we might as wei say that we should have no laws against murder, as to say that we should not have prohibition laws be. cause prohibition laws are violated The analogy is not apt. Everybody agrees that murder is a crime just as all people agree that theft and other heinous deeds are crimes. All in. telligent persons admit that the liquor traffic causes economic waste and that those who abuse liquor are guilty of