THE EVENING STANDARD

London, England

19 November 1917

(page 6)

A LONDONER'S DIARY.

Pacifist Attempt in Masonry.

An attempt to lure Freemasons to join what is obviously a Pacifist movement is being made. Circulars are being sent out from an organisation bearing the name of the “Ordo Templi Orientis, Hermetic Brotherhood of Light,” which has its headquarters on Monte Verita, Ascona, Switzerland, urging British Freemasons to become members of this self-constituted brotherhood, and to send an annual subscription of five shillings. The name of the secretary is given as J. Adderley, but one of the American supporters is the famous Aleister Crowley, who migrated from England to America some three years ago.

“Phree Masons.”

The circular follows the usual lines of Pacifist documents, and asserts that—

It is high time that people of clear, sound views and firm will hailing from all parts of this globe, should combine, concert measures, and take steps to prevent this fratricidal feud from becoming a normal state of affairs. In order to prevent the nations being divided into permanently hostile camps these measures and steps must be taken without delay.

The membership is said to be limited to “Phree (sic) Masons.”