Page:Stephen Graham - Russia in 1916 (1917).djvu/55

less days are to be introduced in Britain it will not be merely one a week, for it is always possible to buy meat for two days. They should be for three or four days a week, as in Russia. But phenomena similar to those I noted will be repeated with us. Vegetables will rise rapidly in price if meatless days are introduced.

Sugar has disappeared because the Germans and Austrians are in possession of some of the richest beetroot country of Russia, and also of several sugar factories. Coffee is scarce because there is war with Turkey; butter and eggs because the peasants, being unable to obtain vodka, have no particular use for extra cash, and won't sell their products. Speculators are holding large quantities of provisions in ice-houses and waiting till the prices are pushed higher and higher. The banks are holding quantities of sugar. There are many explanations.

In one window in Moscow is exhibited