“I believe British and American and other foreign subjects are allowed to purchase wine for their private use on the presentation of a certificate. Professor Migulin appears to be advocating a State monopoly in the sale of wine on the ground that ‘only on condition of a State monopoly would it be safe to allow the free circulation of grape-wine; otherwise under the guise of wine vodka will again make its appearance.’ For the phrase ‘grape wine’ read ‘grape juice.’ Professor Migulin’s figures are apparently incorrect—the population of Russia is not consuming a gallon of grape-juice per head in addition to what it drinks in the way of citro, kvas, narzan, birch beer, etc.
“As regards the revenue returns, may I make the following remarks:
“1. Although the sale of alcohol in the form of drink has been abolished, the manufacture continues in perhaps larger quantities.
“Enormous quantities have been exported to France for use in the manufacture of high explosives, and I do not need to say more than that on the head of the extensive industrial uses of alcohol.
“2. In the figures of profits of liquor monopoly are included (a) debts recovered; (b) sums brought in after the winding-up of big shops where the accounts were not simple; (c) sale of vodka in Russian Central Asia and Transcaucasia (lately prohibited in both these districts also); (d) sale abroad; (e) the sale in Government shops of Caucasian mineral waters, now very extensive.
“3. Under the heading Liquor Excise is included the tax on mineral waters, grape-juice, etc., tax on real wine in Central Asia and Transcaucasia, on wine specially supplied for foreign consumption, on wines allotted to chemists for medical purposes, etc.
“4. The great increase in the returns is due to the tax on non-alcoholic drinks and Government sales.
“5. In these revenue returns the classification and nomenclature is not scientific, and the primary intention is to give a rough guide to the figures of the Budget.
“I hope these remarks do something to clear away the doubt in the minds of students of figures and papers. For the rest I can only reiterate the evidence of my eyes—Russia is without spirits, beer, or wine, and, if I may add it, she does not feel in any way persecuted or tyrannised over because of it.
“Your obedient servant,