Killer Tells How Rasputin was Murdered

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 370, 2 June 1928, Page 10

Killer Tells How Rasputin was Murdered

Feelings Recorded in New Confession ASSASSIN’S PSYCHOLOGY Great interest has been shown by German psychologists in the memoirs of Prince Jussupoff, now made available to the general reader in a German translation, says “The Observer.’’ J These memoirs are considered a very j valuable contribution to the litera- i ture of crime. Not only the psychology of an j assassin before and after a deed, 1 which still remains a cold-blooded murder however much the perpetrator believed the end justified by the means, but the mental state of a subject on the verge of being hypnotised are laid bare down to the veriest . detail. “Rasputin's End,” the title of the book in question, tells nothing that was not already known, apart from the intimate thoughts and feelings of Prince Jussupoff himself, but these are electrifying in their candour. For the average student of contemporary manners and morals the Prince is au infinitely more fascinating personality than his victim. The Prince does not hesitate to declare that the Tsar was given a certain subtle brew, compounded of herbs, which acted potently on his cerebral system. This may or—as the writer is careful to add —may not have been really concocted from a famous Tibetan Lama’s recipe. Hypnotism in Practice The Prince wanted to verify for himself the reputed magnetic power of the monk. Begging a wonder cure for his own ailments he got himself as nearly hypnotised for his pains as it is possible for a man to be. He lay down on a sofa, and Rasputin made the well-known passes over him, part of the time kneeling beside the sofa, as if in prayer, part of the time standing. The Prince writes: I felt the hypnosis enveloping my body in a pleasant feeling of warmth. At the same time 1 felt my limbs stiffening and my body slowly becoming numb. I tried to speak, but my tongue would not obey me. 1 gradually sank into a deep sleep as though under the influence of some strong narcotic. Only Rasputin’s eyes remained visible to me. A strange phosphorescent light seemed to emanate from them. They emitted rays which seemed to coalesce and form a great shining circle. This circle seemed to approach and recede, and when it approached close to me I believed I could distinguish the eyes of Rasputin behind. Then he moved back again, and the eyes were lost in the circle, r heard his j voice murmuring something I could | not distinguish. I I remained some in this posi--1 tion, unable either to move or cry ; out. Only my mind was awake, and i I felt distinctly how I was falling deeper and deeper into the power of this mysterious and terrible man. And then T became conscious that a new strength was beginning to manifest itself in niv mind. . . T tried to move my hand and it obeyed my will. . . . A Terrible Record

After gaining the confidence of Rasputin by carefully concealing his immunity to this hypnotic power. Prince Jussupoff laid the plans that are now known to the whole world. His descriptions of the way in which the plot to murder Rasputin was carried out are as clear and precise as a verbatim report of a police case. He is not cynical, merely convinced of having done a worthy deed. He sits opposite the monk in his own luxurious home, offering him poisoned wine, and when this takes no effect, feels his hate growing greater and greater. The Prince finds himself wondering why the man with

the wonderful magnetic powers dots not suspect the revolver he is holdic; clutched tightly behind his bait After the shot is fired the Prince is truly hoi rifled when Rasputin, win had been lying for some minutes. » all appearance dead, rises sudden: and, foaming at the mouth with eyw staring out of his head, with finge s turned to claws, seizes his assassin. No more terrible confession has ev*r been penned than some of the subequent details of the death and disposal of the body. For Germany the book has been provided with a prologue and epilogue It the playwright, Klabund, who is re sponsible for the “Rasputin'’ film Germany is bringing out.