Ripperologist 129: December 2012

[lynn cates]

horse's mouth

Hello Rob. Thanks. I believe that this was the first time I had heard him explain why he initially thought Kosminski such a weak suspect.

Cheers.
LC

[robhouse]

Hi Lynn,

Why do you think it a must read? Are there any particular points you think are important to discuss?

RH

[lynn cates]

must read

Hello Rob. I thought there had been a discussion of the Fido piece. I consider it a must read.

Cheers.
LC

[lynn cates]

mouchard shadowing

Hello Eduardo. Thanks.

Yes, roughly that is the meaning. The sketch is of a lady pausing by a Russian dissident and, whilst he is occupied, she sneaks a look at his effects. It is in Porter's book, next the photograph of the policeman disguised as a Beefeater and above the sketch of PJP Tynan being pinched.

Cheers.
LC

[robhouse]

I am a bit surprised that there is no discussion of Mr. Fido's article.

RH

[Captain Hook]

Mouchard

Hello Lynn,

I'm curious about a reference in a recent post of yours. You mention "a lovely photograph of a mouchard" in a book dealing with the secret police. As a rule, the French word "mouchard" means informer. Is this the sense given to the word in your book?

Cheers
Eduardo

[lynn cates]

good memory

Hello Rob. Thanks.

I don't think you are misremembering. Most intelligence gatherers do what you suggest and also what I have suggested. Without informants their work is impossible.

Cheers.
LC

[robhouse]

Hello Rob. Thanks.

I take it you have Alex Butterworth and Bernard Porter? Another good one is Ben Fischer. There is a lovely photograph of a mouchard in one of them. Also, I've read a few scholarly papers.

Cheers.
LC

I don't actually have those Lynn. I am not particularly interested in Special Branch... I have only read Clutterbuck's essay. But I got the impression from that that SB mainly worked with informants and monitored the press. I am probably misremembering.

RH

[lynn cates]

sources

Hello Rob. Thanks.

I take it you have Alex Butterworth and Bernard Porter? Another good one is Ben Fischer. There is a lovely photograph of a mouchard in one of them. Also, I've read a few scholarly papers.

Cheers.
LC

[lynn cates]

mannerisms

Hello Stephen. Thanks.

Frequently, their mannerisms gave them away.

Cheers.
LC

[robhouse]

Hi Lynn,
I was just asking an honest question. What sources? I am just curious.

Rob

[Stephen Thomas]

You make a good point.

I wonder whether "secret police" just meant "non-uniformed"?

Hello Lynn

I imagine so. The principle of non uniformed policemen is old hat and dates back a couple of centuries. The Brit phrase is 'plain clothed policemen' but hardened criminals can spot them a mile off by their dress and haircuts or whatever.

[lynn cates]

sources

Hello Rob. Thanks. No, it is from the sources. I personally know little about spying.

Cheers.
LC

[robhouse]

Much of their work consisted in loitering about and keeping an eye out.

Are you basing this on any actual source, or is this just your assumption?

RH

[Michael W Richards]

Hello all,

Having only the comments posted here to assess what kinds of statements are being made in this edition, I would think that the term "Secret Police" if made by Russian Socialists referred to plain clothed policemen. Not CID or Special Branch or Section D or that lot.

My perceptions is that the Socialists at that time were seen as sources of civil unrest and disturbances, but they were primarily drawing others to a cause, causing civil disturbances and promoting the dismantling of the social system, certainly a threat to the local economy.....but we dont have any evidence that they were planning to blow up Victoria, or blowing up train stations, or planning violent acts to draw attention to strife elsewhere in the world. Which was one of the focuses of the "Secret Police" at that time. Acts that sought to bring down an entire government.

National Security and National and International instabilities that might impact England were the focus,...the Socialists were referred to as anarchists,... not dynamiters or assassins. Which other groups were considered to be. Preventing more Labour strikes and identifying individuals or groups responsible for them were the reasons the Socialists were watched. The authorities saw them as a potential mob threat mobilizing the masses of poor against the government, but that was a perceived threat, not an actual identified threat.

Planning to blow up Parliament was an identified threat, and thats where "Special Police" were very active.

Best wishes for the Holidays all.