PARIS-SOIR

Paris, France

18 April 1929

(page 1)

Hit by an expulsion order

THE MAGE CROWLEY HAS LEFT FOR BRUSSELS

WHERE HE'LL MARRY

He will return to Paris to vindicate himself

It's done: Aleister Crowley's been "turned out." The singular personality accused of magic, and more gravely, of relations with foreign intelligence services, left this morning at ten o'clock for Brussels.

We assisted his embarkation in a modest taxi. As several suitcases were slid into the vehicle, Crowley appeared. This man with a huge, round, pale face has already passed the Franco-Belgian border.

In a blue jacket, smoking a long, straight, round pipe, he responds to our questions from one corner of his thin lips to the other.

—I've already said everything. I admit all that one wants: magic, theft, espionage, assassination. . . . Does that suffice? Before trying to vindicate myself of that, I'm getting married in Brussels. Yes, I don't hesitate before another crime!

—Parbleu!. . . . Justice will have to defend me.

Whilst the car moves off without the cobbles bursting into flames or clouds enveloping the humble car, the likeable proprietor of the mage's avenue Suffren apartment gave us her impression.

—An illuminé, perhaps crazy, but a very polite tenant, very correct, very "old France". . . . even though British. Certainly he's occupied with magic, but though my floorboards were burnt by his incense, I believe these practices do evil to no one. Several months ago, I have a soirée to which he was invited. That funny man scared my friends when they learnt their worst catastrophes.

—that have come to pass?

—None. . . . An inoffensive man, I tell you. Evidently, if they expel him, they're reproaching him for serious things, but I'm not concerned with politics, I've heard nothing of it.

Happy woman!—Morency.