FANTASTIC CLUBS IN SOVIET RUSSIA

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 440, 23 August 1928, Page 7

FANTASTIC CLUBS IN SOVIET RUSSIA

WEIRD MYSTICISM RASPUTIN’S FOLLOWERS "What has become of Rasputin’s circle and the fantastic mysticism that enshrouded the last days of the Tsarist empire like a mist—are they dead, shot or what?” This question is often asked of the New York “Times” correspondent outside of Russia. 'J'HB last answer he would have thought of giving is: “It still exists —naturally in a modified form.” But that is the truth, as a recent article in the “Isvestia” attests. First, the “Isvestia” was horrified to discover a Masonic, or pseudoMasonic, lodge in Leningrad, regularly attended by scores of persons. Not only are all clubs or societies unconnected with State institutions forbidden in Russia—it even proved impossible to form a foreign press club in Moscow. But Soviet Freemasonry is intimately related to Fascism, the Ku Klux Klan, the Vatican and such American capitalists as Ford, Rockefeller and Gould, the “Isvestia” re-1 marks. The ruling spirit of the Leningrad i lodge is one Astromof Kirichenko ; Watson, who appears to be a modern Cagliostro. A doctor of law, conjurer and illusionist, imprisoned for “kleptomania,” a spy during the war for four Governments, in the first years of Communism he made a handsome profit selling a patent insect powder. Watson’s chief lieutenant is Gredinger, who held a post in the Leningrad Military Law Department. A third is Otto Mebes, author of books ou occultism, who claims to be the reincarnation of one of Catherine’s lovers and worthy successors of Rasputin, says the “Isvestia” bitterly. Cosmic Academy of Science More serious from the Soviet point of view is the “Cosmic Academy of Science,” correlated with the Masonic lodge but composed mainly of lawyers, doctors. Senators, etc., some of whom, well known in the old regime, are now occupying minor posts under the Soviet. It has a strongly religious character in connection with White

emigres at Prague and carries on subtle anti-Bolshevist propaganda. A similar organisation, the “Blue International,” limited to former nobles or members of the Tsar’s court, is frankly of Fascist and counter-revo-lutionary character. All three of the above groups are strongly pervaded with mysticism, perverted eroticism, etc. Fourth on the Isvestia’s list comes the “Esoteric Brotheric Brotherhood,” presided over by a certain Ognyof Lefevre, who claims to be Louis XVI. reincarnated to save France and Russia from the "black triangle.” antiChrist, irreligion and republicanism. Finally, is the “Society of Former Friends of Virubova and Rasputin,” devoted to spiritualism but not disdaining the sale of amulets, love philtres, etc. To this group belonged many well-known figures of former days, and at their meeting in a large cellar they used to attempt pitiful reconstruction of their lost grandeur. In one corner there was established a little “Bourse” where stocks and titles were exchanged or even sold. In another tattered countesses and threadbare ex-millionaires gambled with their lost possessions—“I play for the harvest of my Volga property.” “I for my Moscow mansion.” “I 10.000 shares of Nobel stock.” Against this group, mostly elderly people, there was no charge of impropriety. On the contrary, the strictest court etiquette invariably prevailed.