You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly. You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
alternatehistory.com
Arrow 2 - recruits Blenkinsopp
Letter from Charles Arrow to Charles Blenkinsopp November 1911
5 Bream's Buildings
London
EC
5 November 1911
My Dear Blenkinsopp,
I am grateful for the opportunity to meet you yesterday and to talk frankly about the parlous state in which England now finds itself. It is my firm belief that the present disturbances are merely the precursor to much worse, not just the dreadful violence of the common classes you faced in Liverpool – or Tonypandy for that matter - but also from Fenians and foreiners (sic) of all types.
I have seen across the Atlantic and in Spain, the extremes to which men will go in the face of some supposed grievance. My time in Barcelona was in the employ of a strong and courageous government and devoted to creating an agency to counter the activities of these men - by all means necessary. Your abominable treatment over the business in Liverpool does not however persuade me that Asquith or anyone likely to replace him will have the steel to take the decisive action that will be needed if England is to be saved.
Our cousins in America have shown us how right minded men can take action to protect themselves. I speak of course of the Pinkerton Agency. I have been very much impressed with the work of the Pinkerton men in America. They have done much to reduce the pernicious effect of union agitators and I am convinced that we will soon need their like here in England. The dreadful strikes in South Wales and most recently in Liverpool have made me realise that our police forces will soon be unable to cope. Their size is based on the fundamental philosophy that we are a law abiding country, but things have now got to the state where increasing numbers are not prepared to respect the law. Anarchists, Fenians and others will, I am convinced, make use of this disorder to promote their own evil ends, if indeed they are not already doing so.
As I explained to you yesterday, it is my intention to create such an agency in this country. I have already had conversations with many Chief Constables about the present disturbances and with many men of substance in the mining and shipping industries.
It is my earnest hope that you will accept the offer I made to you yesterday to join me in developing the new agency. Your military experience would be a most useful addition to my own experience in investigation and intelligence matters. If there is anything on which you remain uncertain, I can meet you at almost any time. I am travelling to New York next month to discuss certain operational matters with representatives of the Pinkerton Agency. I very much hope you will be able to join me as my deputy in the Arrow Mercantile Security Agency.