Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-10-08

| mounds which were the graves OF
men and then bottles, 1t might
have been the Battle of the Bottles.
AS an extreme Russia is discover
ing the meaning of actual prohibition
The first order from the emperor was
for a temporary suppression of the
traffic because of an awakening to an
unwholesome truth. Then followed
an order, after the revelation of So
| briefly in his empire, that the pro-
hibition of the sale of vodka be made
indefinite, after the end of the war.
In those two orders we have proof
positive that the Tar of all the Rus
sias now realizes two things: First,
the inef1ciency of an army-the actual
menace of an armed force of drinkers
i'm any degree under the influence Of
booze: second, the vast Improvement
in social conditions brought about by
prohibition as war measure.
The Russian correspondent of the
London Times. Mr.. stephen Graham,
writing from Moscow last week,
states that in that city all vodka
(spiriO shops have been closed for a
month and Russia, at word from the
Tar has taken on the appearance of
sobriety. 1t has been impossible to
obtain alcoholic liquors of any kind,
and as a consequence drunkenness
has disappeared from the streets, and
with it great army of beggars who
only beg that they may gather 70
kepeks for bottle. The absence OF
vodka has made a great blank in the
peasants lives, but that blank has
been filed up by the war and the in
terest of the war. Ordinarily the
peasants feel they have nothing to do
but drink, but now it is otherwise
In a previous issue of The Times is
given the following message from the
st. Petersburg correspondent: The
appearance of the streets of st.
Petersburg on Sunday was remarkable
for the entire absence of inebriates.
Russia has been dead sober now for
four weeks. 1t is impossible to OBJ
tain beer or wine except at first-class
restaurants"
While prohibition in Russia has
worked such marvellous results, the
people of England are becoming more
and more dissatisfied with the at
tempts of government to regulate the
liquor traffic instead of prohibiting 1t.
More and more the feeling is becom-
ing general that unless repressive
measures are taken Immediately the
result of having liquor constantly ac-
cessible to territorial troops will in
vite a disastrous deterioration in
morale. Mothers are protesting that
they have given their sons to fight,
not to be debauched for the benefit of
publicans who are trying to draw
financial gain from a national crisis.
Bitter indignation has been provoked
by evidence that relief funds have in
many cases speedily found their way
to the till of the public house.
Lieutenant Colonel Leith. of the
Third Gordon HighIanders, has notf-
fed the people of Aberdeen that he
will eourtmartial any civilians offer
ing drink to soldiers.
OH, ,eal MAN hofa hnozP
Lord Kitchener ranks liquor with
looting. He says in his instructions
to soldiers: Abstain from liquor and
looting and be courteous to women,
but not more than courteous"
General Ian Hamilton said: "Whis-
key paralyzes the power and the life
of the finest and bravest troops in the
world"
Count Won Haeseler. of the German |
army, asserts. THE soldier who alb |
stains altogether is the best man. He
can accomplish more, march better. |
and is better soldier than the man
who drinks even moderately. Brandy |
is the worst poison of all. Next to it |
comes beer"
Sir Frederick Treyes, surgeon to the |
late King Edward, said. 1T is curious !
that troops cannot work or march on
liquor"
Field Marshal Lord Methuen found
that, The regiments best in discipline,
in the field, and in barracks were |
those regiments best known for tenn
perance."
MGernnan Arnnx RenuIzrIu Sun nIied