El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1916-04-29
.PETR0GRAD DRY
To ALL EXCEPT
FRENCH PEOPLE
Wine Permitted French Cit
liens But Russian People
Can Get No Liquors.
SPEAKING GERMAN
IS NOW PROHIBITED

DETRoGRAD. Russia. April 90
- What makes Petrograd so differ
/ a ent from the old St Petersburg IS
that nobody speaks German any longer
! and nobody drinks intoxicating liquors,
not even wine. The city has reformed
itself in real earnest and there viii be
no backsliding.
In the beginning the reform met
with very determined resistance,
which occasionally made it necessary
for the authorities to adopt exceed
ingly stern measures. Americans. who
know the strength of the German ele-
ment i'm their own country. are also
able to realize what the struggle
against a similar element has been
here.
In spite Of the decree forbidding the
use OF the German language which
was posted everywhere, there were
number Of people who defied it At
first the government closed its eyes
but gradually measures were taken to
enforce the decree. Offenders were
heavily fined and after a while even
sent to prison or banished from the
country.
Many Spies Arrested.
The number of spies arrested in
Petrograd and other large Russian
cities was enormous. One Sunday
large Lutheran church within a stones
throw OF the Nevsky Prospect. the
service, including the hymns and the
sermon, was conducted entirely in
German and prayers said for the
German emperor and those Of our
Countrymen who are engaged in peril
Gus occupations within the frontier
of Russia"
Many people deplore the fact that
the car. in order to stamp out the
drink evil, has found it necessary to
forbid the drinking of wine. But in
Russia il was absolutely necessary to
take no half measures If the use of
wine had not been forbidden the people
would have bought wine and made il
into alcohol
French Only May Drink Wine.
The only people here who are per-
mitted 20 drink wine now are the
French, but in oruer to get a card
you to buy wine il is not
enough TO speak French and to say
that you are French. You must give
the police positive proof that you are
a French citizen. Even the French
householder is allowed to buy only 30
bottles of wine a month for every adult
male member of his family. while the
women have to get along on monthly
allowance OF 20 bottles.
Occasionally, champagne is sold as
harmless kvas, and the police even
figure among those who break the
law. One recent night the Petrograd
chief of police ordered dinner at one
Of the most fashionable restaurants
here and asked for certain brand Of
French Burgundy. The proprietor in
person expressed his regrets that he
was unable TO comply. as the law for
babe him to serve wine even to his
sxcellency. the chief of police.
Chiefs Costly Bottle of Wine.
The chief. however. insisted and the
threatened with dire pun
shment if he did not carry out the
order, but had 10 give in. When the
bottle of wine was brought in. how
'ver, he presented an extra bill for
1000 roubles.
What does that mean2" cried the
'hief Of police. What am I going to
Jay 5000 roubles for?"
THAT is for the fine I shall have to
}ay for serving you with wine" said
he proprietor.
The chief of police did not drink any
vine that night.