Page:Stephen Graham - Russia in 1916 (1917).djvu/53

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Four Meatless Days

card and another to find a grocer who has anything to sell. If we introduce cards in England we shall probably experience. the same anomaly, though we have certainly more gift for organisation than the Russians. For food tickets to be a success an extraordinary thoroughness in administration is necessary, and also a good social conscientiousness on the part of individuals.

When the blue food cards were distributed in one village a rumour spread that the Anti-Christ had arrived in Russia and was giving these out. It is said that one inhabitant of foreign origin bought up all the cards from the peasants at a low price, and they now contentedly buy their provisions from him when he has them.

Meat has so risen in price that throughout all Russia four meatless days have been proclaimed, and on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday you must keep to vegetables, fish, or fowls. On these days

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