To the Editor of The Times.
“Sir,—In your issue of the 8th inst. Mr. Stephen Graham writes: ‘No wine or beer ... is obtainable in Russia except clandestinely, as at Archangel.’
“Mr. Graham’s knowledge of Russia is admittedly unique; he may be able to explain, therefore, what is a puzzle to those who are interested in the subject.
“I take from your Russian Section of October 28 the following excerpts:
“Page 6.—‘The Imperial Duma, while generally prohibiting the consumption of liquors containing alcohol, adopted an indulgent attitude towards grape wine. On July 14 (27), 1915, the Government imposed upon grape wine a small excise at the rate of 1 rouble 60 copeck per vedro. In the case of grape wine, consumption amounts to 40,000,000 vedros (120,000,000 gallons).’
“Then, again, referring to mild beer:
“‘This drink is supposed to contain not more than 1-1/2 per cent. of alcohol, although it is manufactured almost without Excise inspection and might easily be made stronger. The breweries are earning big profits from the sale of this beverage, bigger even than their former profits from beer; the State itself gets nothing.’
“Again, in the Returns of State Revenue, page 14, there is given as receipts in 1916 from Liquor Excise, 41,322,000 roubles in 1916, as against 18,084,000 roubles in 1915.
“Again, on page 15.—‘Profits of Liquor Monopoly, 503,904,000 roubles in 1916, as compared with 30,718,000 roubles in 1915.’
“Can Mr. Graham reconcile the total prohibition which he affirms now obtains in Russia with these excerpts, or are there some errors in the figures which can be explained?