Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1915-12-01


en- vodka from the trains and stations
OF the Trans Siberian railway and in
consequence has particularly put
much of Manchuria into the prohibi-
ton ranks. Being the chief artery
| OF business, the Russian railway is
the center of most activities in Cen
tai and Northern Manchuria In
many of the smaller places the rail-
way station cafe and bar are the only
social center. Before the war vodka
was sold at all stations and in the
dining cars. Now the patrons of the
railway refreshment stands must con-
fine their drinking to non-alcoholic
beverages.
At preset the railway is used pri-
marily as route for war supplies
and troops and the successful en-
# rcement of the non-liquor regula-
ton is of such vital Importance that
Russian officials are very alert. Vod-
ka is struggled occasionally into rail-
way property Notwithstanding all
precautions, but railway employees,
passengers and troops in transit across
Manchuria have little opportunity to
obtain it. The military is so COM
pletely in charge of the railway prop
erty that liquor smugglers soon come
to grief
Absolute sobriety on the part of
railway employees is vital at this time
when every moments delay is seri-
GUS to the Russian army. The des-
patching of ammunition and troop
trains on single-tracked line re-
CURES the greatest care. Sending
these trains from Vladivostok to Mos
COW is much more difficult than it
would be to send them from Euro
peon Russia to Vlodivostok. During
the Russo-Japanese war the railway
was equipped for rush service east
| ward. Consequently the switches and
sidings are more convenient for trains
bound for the Pacific coast.
Passengers riding on the TRANSIT
berian line are never permitted TO
forget the railway is a strategic line.
Before a train crosses a bridge SOL
ders enter cars, throw open the doors
CT compartments, make sure there
are no windows open and then signal
the train to proceed At the opposite
end of the bridge the soldiers leave
the train. No opportunity is afford
ed Russias enemies to throw hyna
mite or other explosives which might
wreck one of the bridges now so es-
sential to the Russian army.
Sturdy Russian soldiers, already
equipped with high fur caps and sheep
skin coats, stand guard even at the
most remote prairie stations. Every
mile of the line is under heavy pa
troll and there is little opportunity
for persons not supplied with proper
credentials to encroach upon military
property.
Passports of neutrals entering Rus
sian territory at this time must bear
an oath, certified to before a diplo-
matte or consular agent of the coun-
try to which the bearer belongs, to
the effect that lie was born in that
country anu - HOt a HSulI VIII
zen. This certiication is necessary
before a Russian legation CT consulate
will stamp a passport for travel in
Russia. When a train enters Rus
sian territory the conductor collects
passports along with tickets and these
are scrutinized carefully and retained
until the Russian officials are satisfied
as to the identity of the bearer.
Every guest entering Russian hO>
tel is also required to turn over his
passport when he registers. This is
sent by the inn keeper to the police
officials who hold hotel-keepers re-
sponsible for their guests. The police
stamp satisfactory passports and re-
turn them to the hotels where the
bearers live. Guests are Immediately