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Correspondence from Aleister Crowley to Unknown Correspondent
57 Petersham Road Richmond
6 Sep 39
Sir.
I have the honour to apply for employment. At the end of 1914, being incapable of active service owing to phlebitis, I went to New York where I saw Captain (later) Commodore Gaunt R.N. [Guy Gaunt], to whom I reported directly or indirectly until the Armistice. My work was to get into touch with the most important leaders of German opinion in the United States, especially George Sylvester Viereck, Professor Hugo Munsterburg and Graf von Bernstorff, to supply them with false information, and to wreck their propaganda by inducing them to commit psychological blunders: all with the object of inducing the United States to enter the war on our side. As soon as they did so, I was able to work directly for their Department of Justice, principally in discovering spy activities.
In 1927 I began work for the Special Branch, this time to watch and report on Communist activities, especially in Berlin, where I lived almost continuously for three years.
With regard to my qualifications, I speak several languages, though none of them very well except French. But I have spent many years in the study of psychology, especially morbid psychology. In particular, I have a sympathetic understanding of Americans, so that they do not feel for me that distrust and aversion which is the lot of so many English. My reputation as a writer in America is very considerable; and I have maintained for the last 25 years close connection with several of the most important leaders of thought in that country. I have large property interest in California.
I have also great sympathetic understanding of Eastern modes of thought, whether of the Mohammedan, Hindu or Chinese type; it was in fact at one time proposed that I should be detailed to counteract the influence of Ghandi over his co-religionists; but this came to nothing, as the situation was cleared up otherwise.
I have made these remarks only for your information. I am sure you will understand that I am only too eager to serve in any capacity whatever. I am available for an interview at any time convenient to yourself.
I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient servant.
Draft Memorandum Undated.
I ask that my application should receive special consideration as I have never asked for acknowledgement or reward for such service as I have been able to render, except the honour of being permitted to serve my country.
In the last war, unable to find employment in any of the Services, I temporarily sacrificed my friends, my reputation, and my fortune by pretending to be a 'rebel Irishman', and so making the German propaganda grotesque and odious to the American people. I entrusted my secret only to Commodore (now Admiral) Guy Gaunt and my friend the Hon Everard Feilding. I was fortunate enough to do serious damage to the enemy, as they confessed by throwing my friends in Germany into concentration camps.
Having been publicly attacked on my return, this business was thoroughly investigated by Col J.F.C. Carter [Lieutenant Colonel John Carter] (he was then head of the 'Special Branch') and my conduct was vindicated and applauded.
When the present war broke out, I at once offered my services to the N.I.D. [Naval Intelligence Department], and gave as my principal claim to employment the fact of what I had to do in the previous war to bring America in on our side. (See copy of letter enclosed). They refused my application but I supposed this was on account of my age. Notwithstanding, I have been able to give the Department a few items of information for which I was thanked.
As to what I have done entirely on my own account, let the documents herein enclosed speak for themselves. 'Thumbs Up', 'La Gauloise'.
My friend Mr. Roy Leffingwell, musical composer of excellent reputation in the United States, has been writing music for these songs enclosed and some others not yet printed—all in the aid of the war effort. He is very anxious that I should join him on the ranch so that we may work together at this.
I trust that you will assent to my view that the success of these songs—there is at present a lamentable deficiency of first-class poetry—might prove of real value to the Allies, reviving that true instinctive love of country, which is to-day only too often the subject of ribaldry and cynical comment, yet which is a spark of divine fire unquenchable in every freeman's heart.
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