FINLAND

The Finnish Minister at Washington drew up an agreement with the United States Government, whereby Finland will be required to pay its debt of $9,294,362. The document now awaits ratification by the Finnish Government before its terms go into effect.

The debt represents about a $3 per capita charge on the population of this little Republic.

The Parliament of Finland rejected a proposal to permit the people to decide through a referendum the continuance of prohibition. At present Finland is the only country in the world which is entirely dry--except the United States.

Other countries stand as follows:

Iceland in 1909 passed a law prohibiting alcoholic liquors. This was recently suspended for one year because Spain declined to buy the fish which is Iceland's chief export, unless that country would reciprocate by buying wine.

Norway, under similar pressure from Spain, refused further to modify its prohibition law, passed in 1919, which permits the sale of liquor with a 12% alcoholic content.

The Swedish law, passed in 1916, limits the amount of liquor which may be sold to individuals.

In Russia, a law was passed in 1914 prohibiting the sale of vodka. In 1916, restrictions were placed upon all liquor. A measure allowing the sale of wine was passed in 1921.

In Turkey, prohibition is due to religious--and legal--reasons.

Canada is divided in its attitude on the liquor question. Seven provinces are absolutely dry legally. Of these, Prince Edward Island was the pioneer. Its present law was passed in 1907. Saskatchewan, Alberta, Newfoundland, went dry in 1915. Ontario, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, passed prohibition laws in 1916. Quebec and British Columbia have laws restricting the sale of liquor, passed in 1919 and 1920, respectively. Yukon Territory passed a law in 1920 which prevents saloons from operating there. In 1921 a complete prohibition measure failed to pass.

The rest of the world is wet.