Newell reclamation news. [volume] (Newell, Butte County, S.D.) 1910-19??, 1916-01-20
SAYS PROHIBITION
DECREASES CRIME
Remarkable Document Written by
Russian Governor Peasants
Savings Increase.

Mitchell, S. D., Jan. 1.-THE New
Republic, OF which the South Dakota
edition is to be the official organ OF
the state prohibition campaign. is in
receipt OF letter from NJ Islavin,
governor or Novgorod Russia which
is a wonderful document in that it
sets forth the benefits Of prohibition
in the cars empire. The letter fol-
lows, the translation being by Leo
Pasvolsky;
Dear Sir:-lt gives ME gleat pleas.
ure to do what you request of me in
your letter of Aug. 20, 1915, which
was received by me on Sept 25 (OCt
s., concerning the prohibition OF the
sale OF wine and other alcoholic
drinks within the bounds of the gov
eminent, entrusted to me by the EN-
peror, which prohibition went into eff
fest by the order OF his imperial
majesty. ! shall answer your ques-
lions in the order in which they were
put to me.
Free sale of beer, wine and other
alcoholic drinks has been prohibited
In the government OF Novgorod since
July, 1914
The only exception to this is that
private individuals and institutions
are permitted TO purchase vine, es
pecially grape wine. for medicinal
purposes. but such sale is allowed
only by special permit from me, or
from chiefs OF police, issued In each
particular case III writing and only
upon presentation of physicians pre-
scriptions, certifying that the wine is
really needed as medicine
do not think that I shall be far
from truth If ! say that with the pro-
hibition of the sale of alcoholic drinks
the amount of crime has decreased by
two-thirds, or even three-fourths, Of
the total number of crimes.
AS for the question of the POSSIBLE
ity OF substituting other revenues in
the place of those formerly derived
from the alcohol monopoly, | can
scarcely say anything definite, since |
the question concerns the whole coun-
try, and not any particular locality |
Still, | am Of the opinion that this Is
perfectly possible and Is merely
question Of time Even at the pres
ent time the government has already |
taken steps towards the monopoliza
ton OF sugar, tea matches, etc.
The prohibition of the sale of aIco-
hoIIe drinks has had very beneficent
der and sobriety among the people.
Drunkenness has decreased to mini
mum and intoxicated persons are
seen very seldom. OF course, one can
not deny that persons addicted to al
coholism continue to satisfy their
craving for liquor with different sub
stances containing alcohol
Finally, | must frankly admit that
before the prohibition of the sale Of
alcoholic drinks, drunkenness con-
sumed all savings, which have now
increased very considerably, despite
the war.
consider it my pleasant duty to |
inform you, in the name Of my coun-
trymen, that Russia does not doubt |
the good feelings toward her on the |
part of American citizens in this pc |
Rod OF dreadful adversely. She firm |
ly trusts that, with the aid of God, she |
and her glorious allies will triumph |
over the foe.
Permit me to express my feelings |
of deepest regard
(Signed) M. ISLAVIN.
To Mr.. William Z. Johnson,
Editor The New Republic.
No. 1925.
Oct 20 NOV. ~. 1915.