George Sylvester Viereck and The International
Mar 9th, 2018 by bachmann
The International was a literary and arts journal founded by George Sylvester Viereck in New York prior to the onset of World War I. Viereck was an established poet and noted German sympathizer, publishing the periodical, The Fatherland, a propaganda journal funded by the German government to help promote pro-German understanding and keep America out of the war. His publications led to a lynch mob attacking his home, with Viereck escaping and seeking shelter in hotels. His pro-German leanings continued on after the war, eventually becoming a supporter of the Nazi Party. He interviewed Hitler in 1923, and afterwards, his Jewish friends denounced him as “George Swastika Viereck”. Viereck’s vocal public defense of the Nazis led to his imprisonment from 1943-47.
Adding to the radical nature of the International was the iconic Aleister Crowley. As a contributing editor, he provided essays, poems and plays. Crowley was reknown occultist, magician, poet, writer, and artist. He earned some international notoriety as an advocate for recreational drug use, sexual decadence, and his cult religion and philosophy- Thelema.
For there was never any elixir so instant magic as cocaine. Give it to no matter whom. Choose me the last losel on the earth; let him suffer all the tortures of disease; take hope, take faith, take love away from him. Then look, see the back of that worn hand, its skin discolored and wrinkled, perhaps inflamed with agonizing eczema, perhaps putrid with some malignant sore. He places on it that shimmering snow, a few grains only, a little pile of starry dust. The wasted arm is slowly raised to the head that is little more than a skull; the feeble breath draws in that radiant powder. Now we must wait. One minute — perhaps five minutes….Then happens the miracle of miracles, as sure as death, and yet as masterful as life; a thing more miraculous, because so sudden, so apart from the usual course of evolution. – from Crowley’s article “Cocaine”, October 1917
Another notable contributor to the International was Blanche Wagstaff. She was an American poet, who began writing at age 7, and had sold her first poem by 16. She was associate editor of the International, contributing her poetry which often dealt with open sensual and sexual themes. Wagstaff had a falling out with Viereck over his vehement support of Germany. After her departure, she went on to publish several books of poetry.
- Description:
- The international. New York : Moods Pub. Co.
- Persistent Link:
- http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:FHCL:24091384
- Repository:
- Widener Library
- Institution:
- Harvard University
Is there any evidence of a physical relationship between Viereck and Wagstaff. I’m trying to look at his poems from 1913-1916, and his love poems appear to indicate two women over this period, his 1915 wife and a lover who sounds a good deal like Blanche Wagstaff. Is there a biography of Wagstaff? Thanks
This up info would be exceedingly helpful