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Show I Russians Regard War I As A SorUNGodsend B People More Prosperous Than at B Any Previous Period In History of the Country pppf H Potrogrod, April 12. i Tlio opinion was expressed today by Plorro L. BBV Dark, Russian minister of flnanco, that economically considered the war has been a blessing to tho pcoplo of H It this country, Discussing tho financial M '' and social aspects of tho tonfllct In B an Interview with tho Associated Press, Mr. Dark said: B "Notwithstanding tho depressing and paralyzing effect of tho war, tho Itusslan peasant class 1b moro pros- ( porous than at any provlous tlino In t tho hlHtory of tho country. It Is not difficult to nccount for this unusual prosperity, Dy virtue of tho allow anco mado by tho government to tho families of soldiers, which oxeceds BBV the earning power of tho soldiers tho BBV ( total Income of these, families Is B greater than In times of pence Thus th"o pcoplo aro beginning to regard tho war as a peculiar sort of godsend H which Is putting money Into their pockets." H "What about vodka?" was asked of tho minister. H "It is tho prohibition of tho salo H of vodka will tli Is primarily responsl V bio for tho ameliorated condition of 1 tho peasant," ho responded. "Tho sieve through which all tho nvallablo B earnings formerly disappeared has B not been closed and tho monoy Is 1 spent for present necessities or sav- H ed for future wants. 1 "It Is not necessary to Invent tho B orles to explain why tho Russian H pcoplo should bo moro prosperous for |
