New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-13
Cars Finance Minister
Explains New Prosper
ity of Peasant.
RAN ON VODKA ONE
OF CHIEF CAUSES
Peoples Savings Grow Enor'
mously-Government Aid OF
Soldiers Families Factor.

Petrograd, April 12.-The opinion
was expressed to-day by Pierre L.
Bark. Russian Minister Of Finance
that. economically considered. the war
has been n blessing to the people OF
this country. Discussing the financial
and social aspects Of the conflict in an
interview. NJ. Bark said:
Notwithstanding the depressing and
naralyzing effect of the war, the Rus-
sian peasant class is more prosperous
than at any previous time in the MS
tory of the country. It is not dii1cuit
70 account for this unusual prosperity
Bv 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. Thus, instead of feeling any
privation as the result of the absence
of the men and the loss Of their ser
vices. the people are beginning to re-
gard the war as a peculiar sort OF god
send which is putting money into their
pockets"
Ban on Vodka Praised.
"What about vodka7' was asked OF
the minister.
at is the prohibition of the sale OF
vodka which is primarily responsible
for the ameliorated condition Of the
peasant." he responded. The sieve
through which all the available earn
ings formerly disappeared has now
been closed, and the money IS either
spent for present necessities or saved
for future wants.
at is not necessary TO invent the-
cries TO explain why the Russian peo-
ple should be more prosperous, TOT 'ne
actual fact is that this prosperity Is
everywhere noticeable. Before the war
the average yearly savings depositeeoo
amounted TO 30,000,000 to 40.OOO ,OVo
rubles (s15,000,0Q0 to S2O,OOO,COo),
while in the month of January alone
about 10000, 900 rubles $3.50, OOO,OOO) was
deposited" =, A.
next question.
"The farmers have been very fortu-
rate in being compelled to hold their
SUNNY of grain on account OF the dlm-
cultes of transportation Tor gram Is
now at the highest price OF the year
There is every reason to believe the
farmers will soon be able to dispose OF
their grain in foreign markets, and at
a great advantage"
Russia to Furnish Supplies.
Discussing the conference in Paris
of the Finance ministers OF RUSSIA,
France and Great Britain for the con-
sideration of financial problems arts
ing from the war, VI. Bark said: .
Zone result was the formulation OF
an agreement with our allies to pool
all the expenses of the war. In accord
anoe with this understanding. Russia
is TO draw upon Great Britain and
France for money expended in the war
while our allies are to call upon Russia
for grain, which they need.
This is an excellent arrangement for
all 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
II have already arranged credit OF
sos .OOO. 900 francs (sl25. 000,0O0) IN
France and of f25 100000 tsl25,0OO,OOO)
in England. which Russia is to use at
any time the occasion requires. We
are on the point of making use of part
of the French credit"
There is now a particular opportu-
nifty for the United States, for she, of
all the countries to which we look for
trade. is not crippled by the war"