In an interview with Vonsiatsky which appeared during the summer of 1941, he predicted the fall of Moscow within two weeks and stated he got rid of the leadership of his Party because of his other plans. He remarked that the new Russian government was taking place with the knowledge and sanction of Hitler and stated, "we Whites see in Hitler the realistic power about which we dreamed for the past twenty years." Vonsiatsky allegedly stated he was a conspirator and expected to become the representative in the United States of the Russian National Government in Moscow.

Vonsiatsky's nephew was killed in England in October, 1941, while flying with the Eagle Squadron of the RAF and was buried on October 15, 1941, with full military honors in England. Vonsiatsky allegedly expressed sorrow at hearing of his nephew's death and stated he was as sorry as he was to hear of the unnecessary deaths of other American youths in the war. He added that he regretted not having an opportunity to talk with his nephew before the latter enlisted inasmuch as he would have tried to influence the young man not to go. Vonsiatsky was further quoted as follows:

"Fascisms are different. The German, Italian, and Russian Fascisms are different in many respects. The Russian Fascist Party is just a united movement of Russians against Communism, and Fascism is the only political society on the earth at the present time that can wipe out Communism. Force is the only thing that can knock it down."

"Theoretically a democracy is the ideal form of government but when it comes to a fight, it is too weak in many ways to combat Communism."

The following telegram which has appeared in the press was allegedly sent by Vonsiatsky to the Russian Embassy in the United States in the fall of 1941.

"Accept my heartfelt and profound congratulatory sentiments of the recent glorified victory and triumphant march of the heroic Soviet Red Army. It behooves me to ask your kindness to convey these very sentiments to Field Marshal Timoshenko, assuming of course that he has benevolently spared of the grim destiny of Tuhachevsky.

I graciously hasten to make articulate my horror-filled sympathy for the personal safety of my esteemed and beloved pal, Joseph Stalin, and strenuously urge your official position to make luxurious and speedy his inevitably desperate departure to more hospitable shores.

Provided his passage is crowned with gratification, I will personally exert every possible influence to secure a position consistent with his abilities, namely a nearby sewage disposal plant.

While your Ambassadorial dignity may not reconcile itself to the stench involved it is my sincere suggestion that you partake of the atmosphere attached thereto.

In the words of Shakespeare, I contribute the following sapuence: 'welcome the coming and speed the parting guest.'

Tis written that lilac smells sweetly of sabotage in this beautiful season in Moscow. Please believe me in my sincerity along with a Boisterous Bronx for the most vigorous Red Army.

Anastase A. Vonsiatsky,
Leader of the Russian Fascists."

Rumors circulating in 1940 indicated that Vonsiatsky was conducting a military camp in which he specialized in teaching youths Nazi principles and military science and tactics. It was alleged he had an arsenal of approximately ten thousand guns in the vicinity of Thompson, Connecticut. No verification was ever obtained concerning these rumors.

As a matter of fact, Vonsiatsky actually maintained some sixty rifles in a stone building on his premises which was used as his social and business quarters. These guns were of the old Russian type, and Vonsiatsky has indicated he was keeping them to give his office the atmosphere of the old Russian days. He also maintained a submachine gun, gas guns, and gas grenades which he allegedly purchased for self-defense since his anti-Communistic attitude made him many enemies who he though might try to harm him. It might be noted, however, that at the time of his involvement in this case Vonsiatsky had made most of his guns available for police and civilian defense use.

After moving to the Thompson, Connecticut, estate of his wife in the early 1920s, Vonsiatsky engaged in no gainful employment and realized only a small income from stock holdings. It appears that his wife, who inherited millions, supported him through the years and made available funds with which he could finance his Party activities. It has been reported that his wife was inclined to "mother" Vonsiatsky, and on one occasion she allegedly stated she would rather have him engaged in his Party activities than to be totally unemployed.

Vonsiatsky is a rather impressive looking individual from a physical standpoint, weighing approximately two hundred pounds and being six feet one inch in height. He is of dark complexion and wears his hair closely cropped. Football is one of his favorite hobbies, and it has been reported that he attended a large eastern university for one year in order to participate in this sport. In recent years he attended numerous football games in the New England States and frequently spent considerable time working on his estate doing such odd jobs as cutting branches from trees and burning leaves. It might be noted that Vonsiatsky always kept one large German police dog on his grounds at all times.

Some of Vonsiatsky's reported activities in connection with his Party were rather amusing, to say the least. In 1937, it was rumored that he caught a dozen mud turtles and pointed the Russian swastika on their shells. He thereupon turned the turtles loose to carry the emblem throughout the peaceful woods. On another occasion, he reportedly sought to purchase a number of rubber balloons which were to be sent to Poland so that they could be used to float propaganda into Russia. On one occasion Vonsiatsky received a number of relics from Russia which he claimed belonged to his family. Some connected with the White Russian movement have doubted whether these were genuine Russian relics and have expressed the belief that Vonsiatsky was not a true Count and possibly falsely adopted this title.

As a further illustration of Vonsiatsky's tendency to relive the days of the past, it might be noted that he remodeled a room at his residence so that it would resemble his room at the military school in Russia. The uniform which he wore as a cadet was placed in a glass showcase at one end of the room. The pictures decorating this particular room, as well as those throughout the rest of the building, were pictures of Russia in the days of the Czars.

A rather interesting sidelight on Vonsiatsky's activities was his claim that he was trusted by no particular group. He discounted any affiliations with the Nazis and disclaimed any anti-Semitism despite his emblem consisting of a red banner bearing a white swastika on a blue field, the banner being on a staff topped by the Russian double eagle. Vonsiatsky has pointed out the Germans claimed his organization was financed by Jewish interest, while the latter contended the Party was supported in its activities and its policies dictated by the Nazis. Vonsiatsky also contended that the Japanese believed he was a spy for the American Army.

Though the files of the FBI contained no prior criminal record for Vonsiatsky, it has been reported that in 1923 he was arrested in Pennsylvania for parking his automobile on a business street. After explaining that he did not expect to be arrested and had no money, Vonsiatsky was loaned the amount of his fine by the police officer making the arrest.

On May 8 and 9, 1942, Vonsiatsky's estate at Thompson, Connecticut was searched by Special Agents of the FBI under appropriate legal process and vast amounts of material were obtained. Among the articles seized were 17 file cabinets containing three drawers each of Russian correspondence between Vonsiatsky and various Russians from 1929 to date; a complete set of "The Fascist;" hundreds of documents relating to Vonsiatsky's Party; numerous Victrola billies; 18 gas billy cartridges, 1 police billy, 2 gas guns, 57 rifles, two automatic pistols and a quantity of ammunition; 1 large silk banner with swastika emblem; 2 khaki military coats with swastika emblems on the left arm sleeve; and 1 box of swastika arm bands.

On June 6, 1942, a complaint was filed at Hartford, Connecticut, charging Vonsiatsky with conspiracy to violate the Espionage Act. He was taken into custody on the same date at Providence, Rhode Island, and later removed to Connecticut. On June 10, 1942, the Federal Grand Jury at Hartford, Connecticut, indicted Vonsiatsky and the four other persons previously named on charges of conspiracy to violate the Espionage Act.

On the date the indictment was returned, Vonsiatsky entered a plea of not guilty. After unsuccessful attempts had been made by his attorney to have him examined by a psychiatrist so that he could be committed to an institution, Vonsiatsky entered a plea of guilty to charges named in the indictment on June 22, 1942. After hearing the outline of the charges against Vonsiatsky, the Federal Judge at Hartford, Connecticut, sentenced him to serve five years in a federal penitentiary and assessed a fine of $5,000.

The placid serenity of the little town of Boca Del Rio, bordering on the Gulf of Mexico, a short distance south of Vera Cruz, Mexico, was disturbed during the spring of 1942 by reports that German submarines were plying in the Gulf and preying upon American and Mexican shipping.

 

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