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Correspondence from Charles Tower[1] to Ernest Maxse[2]
[EXTRACT]
[30 June 1916]
I enclose for your notice a long article in the Rheinisch-Westfalische Zeitunge of June 29th.
It purports to be a translation of an article written by Aleister Crowley, about a visit paid by him to London. Crowley has been throughout the war one of the most notorious pro-German propagandists in the United States: a regular contributor and I think even an editor of The Fatherland, the precious publication started if I mistake not by Dernburg. It is inconceivable that Crowley should have been permitted to come to London. He was I think of British nationality but may of course have become a naturalised American citizen.
He also had in past years a fairly odiferous moral reputation. I imagine that the London police have some record of the very dubious 'revival of the Eleusinian mysteries' which he organised somewhere near Victoria about eight or nine years ago. I was abroad at the time but I remember that friends of mine who knew all about Crowley's history wrote to me sundry purple descriptions of the proceedings. I believe that Lieutenant Wyndham Harding, Chief Censor's Office, APO3, Boulogne could assist the authorities if they are anxious to make enquiries.
Yours very sincerely,
Charles Tower
P.S. If Harding does not know the facts I think Mr. H.T. Sheringham the angling editor of The Field will know where enquiries should be made.
1—Charles Tower was the Daily Mail's correspondent in Holland. 2—Ernest Maxse worked at the British Consulate General in Rotterdam.
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