THE OAKLAND TRIBUNE

Oakland, California, U.S.A.

21 May 1911

(page 2)

PROBE MEN TO IT.

Interesting glimpses into the sect styled the Rosicrucian Order were given in the King's Bench Division, when Justice Scrutton heard an action for damages for libel brought by George Jones [George Cecil Jones], against a weekly journal.

The statements complained of were contained in a series of articles which deal chiefly with Aleister Crowley and his connection with the Rosicrucian Order. There was the statement, "By their friends ye shall know them," and a passage which stated that two of Crowley's friends and introducers were still associated with him—"one the rascally sham Buddhist monk Bennett [Allan Bennett]; the other a person of the name of Jones."

The defendants said that the words complained of were not capable of bearing a defamatory meaning, and also pleaded fair comment.

The plaintiff said he became acquainted with Crowley in 1898. He had never known anything wrong in connection with him. He knew he passed under various names, including Earl of Middlesex, and Lord Aleister.

Jones said Bennett was a Buddhist, but he could not bring an action for libel, being bound by his oath as a Buddhist. He agreed there had been ugly rumours about Crowley. Witness did not know that he was an opium eater. Bennett, however, was an invalid, and took many drugs. Mr. Schiller, for the defense, said they were entitled to comment in strong terms upon anyone who chose to consort with Crowley.

HIS ORIGINAL NAME.

Samuel [MacGregor Mathers] was called next. Crowley, he said, was expelled from the Rosicrucian Order because he had circulated libels against the witness, who was head of the Order, and because he was working against the interests of the order.

Mr. Simmons asked witness whether his original name was not Mathers.

"Undoubtedly."

"Did you subsequently assume the name of MacGregor?" The name of Mathers dates from 1901. At the time the name MacGregor was forbidden on pain of death, and there is no single person of the name of MacGregor at the present day who has not had another name in the interval.

"Your name was MacGregor in 1903?"

"Yes, if you like to put it that way."

"You have called yourself Count MacGregor of Gleestrae?"

"Oh, yes."

The witness denied that he had asserted he was Cagliostro.