nced a
resurrection from the dead.

The statesmen of Russia knew the evil effects of alcohol. It was to
vodka that they mainly owed the defeat and humiliation of the Japanese
war. The manhood of Russia could not be rapidly mobilised owing to the
grip of alcohol on the race; and the operations were ever hampered by
its fell power. When the Russian Empire was called upon to fight for
its life, the Emperor resolved that this time it would fight
unfettered. {133} The sale of vodka was temporarily suspended, and the
armies were mobilised with rapidity and precision. Misery and poverty
were banished from the villages. The doss-houses and jails were
emptied. A great nation resolved to fight with all its vigour. Though
vodka constituted a State monopoly, and though Russia drew from it an
enormous revenue, yet that revenue was unhesitatingly sacrificed. 'We
cannot,' said the Tsar before the war, in a proclamation to his people,
'make our fiscal policy dependent upon the destruction of the spiritual
and economic powers of many of my subjects.' On August 22, 1914, the
Tsar issued an order that all vodka and other spirit shops should be
closed till the end of the war. When the beneficial results of this
policy were fully realised the Tsar made a final decision. 'I have
decided,' he announced, 'to abolish for ever the Government sale of
vodka in Russia.' Russia was thus finally delivered from the greatest
of its enemies--the enemy {134} that destroyed its homes. And Russia
has accepted its deliverance with a joyful heart. At first M. Bark,
the Finance Minister, was 'staggered when prohibition was suggested.'
After six months' experience of its results he declared: 'If I proposed
to reopen the vodka shops there would be a revolution.' Thus was
effected the greatest social reform in the history of the world.
'Since China proscribed opium,' was the verdict of a _Times_ editorial,
'the world has seen nothing like it. We have been well reminded that
in sternly prohibiting the sale of spirituous liquors, Russia has
already vanquished a greater foe than Germany.'

And so it proved. Through vanquishing alcohol Russia found a power
which is now vanquishing Germany. On eyes cleared from the fumes of
vodka there rose the vision of God. The Russian went forth tying his
knapsack on his back as one who took up the Cross. They endured
defeats which might have {135} overwhelmed them, but they were
unconquerable. Through hard