Evening star., 1925-10-13
BACKGROUND OF EVENTS
BY PAUL =. COLLINS.

Golfers of the government, which OF
ficially merely .begs the millions OF
peasa nts to be more moderate in their
drinking"
When American prohibition wen-
into effect there was CONSERVATION
among the growers OF grapes III
Europe. lest they lose the market for
their grapes. 1t was feared that there
would be 10 substitute demand. There
in the situation in Russia differs from
that in the French. Italian and SpGn-
ish vineyards. In Russia there are
millions Of semi-starving people who
need the food that is being convertea
into alhocol-need 1t as food. The
Soviets. however. deliberately increase
its use in alcohol, while processing -
discourage that use.
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In the Scandinavian countries
Sweden. Norway and Finland-the gov
ernments have held outward control
Of intoxicants for several years. Re
strictions have been based upon the
issuance OF mot" books. or passbooks.
which entitled the holder to buy within
his own limited district--three liters
l3.17 quarts) Of hard liquor" month
II he is unmarried; or four l,ters, i
married: or Its equivalent in two l.ters
of whisky. two of wine and three of
beer. Only restaurants and hotels car
legally sell fntoxicants to be drunk or
the premises. and only in connection
with a certain amount Of food.
In Skane. Sweden, the province OF
greatest wealth. the laws restrictions
are reported as openly ignored. for the
inhabitants consider their rights para
mount to the laws Of the central GOV
ernment. and they boast:
This Is Skane. We do not abide b.
those childish, silly regulations made
by the Swedes up in Stockholm. This
Is free country. We do what we
please here, and live like gentlemen"
1t Is against the law to serve
schnapps on any railroad train in
sweden. but it is the practice in the
passenger and keep it on ice for his
use. The same practice holds in clubs
and hotels
While there was every precaution
taken TO prevent the misuse of the
mot book, II is said that thousands
OF poor people found that they could
| not afford to drink. and they made
a practice Of selling their mot"
books to those who were ready to run
any risk Of prison by using the
others right to buy his quota OF
| liquor.
Last year, Sweden made her laws
against smuggling much stricter, yet
| she has had quite as much trouble
with rum-runners as has the United
States. Her coasts seemed to make
| It impossible TO prevent smuggling.
, In 1928 she confiscated 10000 liters
OF contraband liquor. but vast guam
titles were smuggled. 1t is alleged
that this year the smugglers arc un-
able to evade the 'Hatchful guards.
According to authorities, Great
Britain spends annually for intoxi-
cants 403.00o.000 pounds, nearly two
billions OF dollars. and the govern
ment revenue from customs. excuses
and licenses amounts to half that
sum. In France one in every eight
persons is said tor@.be interested in
the liquor traffic. and the nation
spends annually for wines and other
intoxicants more than 10000, 900 900
francs approximately the total
amount Of her debt to the United
States.
On the other hand. Denmark is
approaching prohibition. Belgium has
/ prohibited the sale of spirituous
! liquors. Holland is promising soon to
adopt local option, Italy Is restricting
saloons and Switzerland is planning
local option. The nations Of Europe
are recognizing the right Of the
United States to enforce her own
laws. and they are making treaties
Of reciprocal cooperation with us.
whereby their nationals will be,.re-
strained from smuggling liquor across
our boutda ries, either by sea or, lind.
Copyright. 13.5.~ by Paul E. Co..ias.l =.