The Significance of Prohibition in Russia

By Gertrude M. Greene. English 1, M. Wellesley College. 15 January 1915.

A singular fact it is that the great nations now engaged in the European war have all so recognized the benefits of prohibition that they have taken more or less definite measures to prevent the use of intoxicants by their troops. France, Germany, and England have lined themselves on the side of prohibition but in the completeness and effectiveness of nation-wide prohibition, Russia leads. Realizing the infinite advantages of sane and sober mobilization, the Czar authorized the suspension of the vodka traffic. By this one command, one-sixth of the earth’s surface and one tenth of its population went dry. Hundreds of thousands of shops were closed in a night, and the use of liquor practically ceased throughout the entire nation.

The complete significance of this revolution in Russia cannot yet be estimated. To Russia’s national life it means much. When it is recalled that the main immense income of the government came from revenue of the vodka traffic, at once one concludes that a crippling of the government is inevitable. But the attitude of both Czar and manufacturers does not confirm this conclusion. Already, even at the present crisis, plans have been formed whereby the income of the government may be secured by other means. Among these is the prospective governmental control of alcohol used for all other purposes. Permanent loss to the national treasury as a result of prohibition is not, then imminent.

These prohibition measures had never been effected, had not the Czar and his advisers realized something of the enormous worth of a sober army. Russia herself can but recognize the relation between her defeats in the Russo-Japanese war, and the drunkenness of her officers and soldiers. Appreciating the value of its sober army to Japan, and profiting by the remembrance of loss due to intemperance of leaders and troops alike, vodka and other intoxicants were denied to all the soldiers. Already, the benefits of this reform are evident in the effective fighting of the Russian army, but it is far too early to estimate the ultimate consequences and advantages to the Russian nation.

Laying aside the national significance of prohibition in Russia, let its meaning to the people as individuals and communities be considered. As the Empire which, more than any other in history, has suffered from the evils of intemperance, Russia has much to gain from absolute prohibition to what extent vodka has cursed the Russian masses cannot be judged even by those best fitted to comprehend the conditions. What a total change is wrought by the absence of all intoxicants or access thereto cannot be overestimated. Economically, prohibition means much: it will be a cause of prompt and accurate filling of orders on the part of factories, and has already bettered the economic condition of the poorer classes and indirectly increased the volume of trade at village fairs. To family and community life, it comes as the greatest boon of the age. It has meant not merely peaceful existence, but the absence of much crime, suicide, insanity, and many cases in law courts. To the individual manhood, womanhood and pure childhood throughout the nation, prohibition is infinitely significant.

As an example to the world at large, Russia’s recent reform is filled with significance. Long have Christian nations theorized on the practical advantages of the abolition of intoxicants; steadily have prohibition sentiments taken root and spread. But in spite of legislation, at no time nor place has prohibition been so complete that its practical value has been adequately demonstrated. In this then, the Russian situation is unique, for it furnishes a fair example of total abstinence, and its meaning to a nation and people. At once the world’s theories have been confirmed, and it has been proven beyond a doubt that the benefits of prohibition are infinite.

What the outcome of this reform in Russia will be, cannot, even in a general way, be predicted. That Russia may become permanently dry is quite probable, since the world at large has now evidence of the consequences of liquor traffic, and of its extinction, the day of world prohibition may be hastened.