Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-04-14
WAR IS REAL BLESSING
TO PEOPLE OF RUSSIA
Peasant Glass More Prosperous Than
at ANY Previous Time, Says
Minister OF Finance.
BAN ON VODKA RESPONSIBLE
Sieve Through Which All Available
Earnings Formerly Disappeared
Now Is Closed-OppOrtuni for
United States to Build Up Trade.

PETROGRAD. April l3 fvia London).
Pierre I. Bark. Russian Minister of
Finance. that. economically considered.
the war has been a blessing to the peo-
pie OF Russia. Discussing the financial
ana social aspects OF the conflict with
the Associated Press. N. Bark said:
Notwithstanding the depressing and
| paralyZing effect of the war. the Rus
| sian peasant class is more prosperous
than at any previous time In the his
| tory Of the country
1T is not difHcul, to account for this
unusual prosperity. Ey virtue of the
allowance made by the government to
the families OF soldiers. which exceeds
the earning power Of the soldiers, the
total income OF these families is greater
than In times Of peace"
What about vodka" was asked OF
| tho minister
~ is prohibition Of the sale OF vodka
which Is primarily responsible for the
amclioratcd condition OF the peasant"
he responded. THE sieve through
winch all the available earnings
formerly disappeared has now been
| closed. and the money IS either spent
4
future wants"
What about the crops?"
he farmers have been very co.tu-
nate In being compelled 10 hold their
supply OF grain on account OF the diff
I cuit!es of transportation. for grain is
now at tie hghes, price OF the year.
Ihere Is every reason TO believe the
farmers will soon be able 10 dispose
OF their grain in foreign markets and
at great advantage"
POWERS AGREE TO poor.
ALL 1XPENsEs OF WAR
Discussing the Paris conference OF
the allies finance ministers to consid er
financial problems arising from the
war VI. Bark said
one result was the formulation OF
an agreement with our allies TO pool
all the expenses OF the war In ac-
cordance with this understanding, Rus
sia Is to draw upon Great Britain and
/ france for money expended in the war.
while our allies are TO call upon Rus
STA for grain which they need
This Is an excellent arrangement for
nj! concerned for while Russia has
enormous resources. she is in need OF
| immediate capital, and our allies, on
! the other hand. have more capital than
t supplies.
In response TO question regarding
| the recent increase OF 30 per cent in
the tar!M. VI. Bark said:
! That Is only temporary AFFAIR,
| designed partly to make up for the loss
in revenue from the vodka trafflc
! Russia looks for tremendous In
crease IN her trade with the United
states and her allies TO replace the
German trade existing before the war
| ! am not an authority as TO what kind
OF trade treaties will be formed at the
end OF tho war, but ! am sure every
| thing viii be done to open tho Russian
| market to these countries and not per
init II TO slip back to Germany
| There Is now particular oppor-
tunity for the United States, for she, OF
all the countries TO which We look for
trade. Is not crippled by the war
NJ. Bark was asked what means
were being employed to replace the
revenue formerly derived from vodka
The amount OF this revenue exceed ed
s+50.ooo, 000." he replied. This Is being
replaced in diversity of ways, in
! Guiding n special war tax on railroad
transportation. matches, sugar and
| most commodities"