I think a lot of people make the same mistake. Crowley wrote articles for a pro-German newspaper in the time leading up to America's entry into
World War 1. (A stupid war in which no side was "in the right".) Many people automatically assume that Crowley was writing pro-German propagander. But if you actually read the articles he wrote you soon realise how ridiculous that is. The articles are so funny and tongue-in-cheek that they must have been counter productive and made the German cause look stupid in the eyes of the American public. Some of them really are funny like his Letter to Count Zeppelin.
Crowley claimed that he was working as a British spy during this time. Is this true? Nobody knows for sure. The German owner of the paper (
The Fatherland), George Sylvester Viereck, came to believe that Crowley was a spy and had tried to sell him out.
After America entered the war Crowley claimed that the US Department of Justice recognized his efforts and gave him enough money to settle his debts and buy passage back to England. True or not the money suddenly appeared from somewhere!
In 1918 Crowley was questioned about his war time activities by the Assistant to New York's Attorney General. He was satisfied with Crowley's explanation. Anyone who is interested can check with the FBI by asking for a copy of a "Memorandum for Mr. Hoover, 1 August 1924. FBI document 61-2069-4".
On Crowley's return to England the country was gripped by anti-German hysteria and talk of treason was everywhere. Crowley's activities in America were known to the British government. Was Crowley arrested and questioned on his return? No.
In fact in 1919 Admiral Sir Guy Reginald Archer Gaunt, England's Naval Intelligence attache in Washington, contacted British Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Sir Edward Gray, and Basil Thompson, chief of Scotland Yard's Criminal Investigation Department and head of MI5's Special Branch. Both of these men were told by Gaunt to leave Crowley alone.
Years later during World War 2 Crowley worked with and had friends in both MI5 and MI6. Hardly the occupation for a pro-German spy.
Was Crowley a traitor? Make up your own mind.