The Wilmington morning star., 1947-06-21
Pegler Sees 1t
BY WESTBROOK PEGLER
Copyright, 1947,


spiritual circle in which Henry Wallace moved
for several years under the guidance or domi-
nation of Nicholas Roerich, the Russian paint
err and orientalist. is clearly suggested by
correspondence of the group and the testi-
mopy of individuals offered in a lawsuit over
the ownership Of the lamasery On Riverside
drive in 1886.
The goofy Guru letters, which were offer
ed to the republicans in the 1910 campaign
as political ammunition against Wallace, are
couched in terms generally similar to those
re gularly employed by acknowledged MEM
bers of the cult.
Some members of this circle regarded
Roerich as a god. However, some who so
revered him in the 'twenties, when the cult
was going strong, now insist that their in
terest was entirely worldly and never spirit
ual.
Louis L. Horch, a protege of Wallace and
his appointee to several government positions
in the Departments of Agriculture and Com
merce. says he was too sensible ever to sub
scribe to such nonsense.
Nevertheless, in one letter written from
Paris on Dec. 8, 1896, Horch spoke of Roerich
as ''our beloved master" another, also, ap-
parentlv from ? foreign city, addressed to
my dear ones'' in the cult. says: If you
would see here how people are. not only
financially but spiritue llv. you would see .,ov'
badly a new teacher is needed. And to think
that we have this great privilege given us to
help prepare the way. l sometimes think I
will lose my mind, SO much joy it gives me.
And what wonderful and important work you
will have to do, first in America and then
IN Russia"
A letter to ''my dearest brother Arivach,'
a cult name for one of the associates, is an
interesting mixture OF the mundane and the
spiritual:
"Your water works looks good,'' a reference
to the stock of American Waterworks, which
was an active issue in the stock market
gambling of that time, 1927. Remington is
{ star puzzle to me. today the market broke
severely and this stock went up. The ikons
finally arrived. Much love. l am sending this
in my best spiritual thoughts. as ever in
his Roerich's) name. your Logvan."
Logvan was Horch's cult name.
Mrs. Nettie Horch, the wife Of Logvan, was
called Porooma. A letter from Poroona to
the Roerichs, written from the Mauretania,
said: mingled with our sorrow tat leaving)
was the joy of entering a new field of service
in the name of our beloved teacher (Roerich).
We have been blessed by his holy presence
which we feel conster''- ne"" NC y 'oro"-o
wrote to my dearest Gurus" Nhe Roerichs)
on Sept. II, 1923: yesterday our little group
met here. I brought out the signs to give
one to each. Upon receiving hers Mrs
went into a trance and then the wonderful
miracle happened. Our establishment was
great at the usual display Of power. No doubt
you have received the lst writirg s and visions
from Radna. I am very sorry to have missed
the seance.'
Logvan wrote "my dearest mother" in
September. 1924. that 'Mr. MAY. Of the
MOSCOW Industrial bank. returned"
"He speaks gloomily about conditions in
Europe Logvan said. 'He promised to write
in his next letter to his bank in Moscow
about me and the silver business"
Horch was not only a trader in foreign
exchange but also a speculator. Silver. Of
course, was one o. the chips used in the
game.
On Feb. IA, 1880. .'Logvan'' wrote my own
dearest beloved mother thanking her for
pointing out that "above all daily tasks must
stand the image of our great teacher and his
cosraic teachings"
"You and Prof. Roerich opened the gates
TO U.s." the letter said. II will do my utmost
to carry out your commands"
Horch. and Henry Wallace. changed abrupt
ly. Horch just says he saw things in their
true light. Wallace has evaded the issue and
made no explanation. he has never ack-
nowledged the guru letters but he simply can
not deny his association with Roerich in the
oriental cult. He accepted the official role
OF PROTECTOR and made a speech at the
ostentatious Dedication in Washington Of a
banner and an informal Pan-American COM
pact by which combatants in war would for
bear to attack cultural objects flying that
tanner. Roerich designed the banner and
composed the treaty. A great publicity Job
hed hrer dcra hove
Testifying in the suit to get control of the
.amasery. Horch, in 1896, explained that, al
though he had signed himself s.vour son.
fo2van. in letter TO the Roeriche "of eo1rse