In a belt-tightening measure intended to save money for national defense, India last week decreed an end to the import of foreign liquor. After existing stocks of Scotch and brandy are used up, Indian drinkers will have to depend on such local specialties as palm wine, rose petal liquor and a brew of saffron musk.
The decree was good news to India's flourishing bootleggers. Mohandas Gandhi's abstinence led most states to establish liquor-control laws; today they range from total prohibition in Madras, Bombay and Gujarat, to restrictions in Calcutta (every Wednesday is a dry day) and New Delhi (two dry...
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