വഞ്ചന / 1942 English
5

Intelligence Bureau note proposing that P.C. Joshi's warrant be withdrawn "as an experiment", with Tottenham's minute

GovernmentSECRET

Scan of document 5: Intelligence Bureau note proposing that P.C. Joshi's warrant be withdrawn "as an experiment", with Tottenham's minute, 1942-04-27 (note); minuted 28 and 29 April 1942
Browned paper, ruled left margin, punch damage down the left edge. The typescript is clear; the manuscript minutes in the middle of the sheet are a rapid cursive hand and only partly legible.

Contrast-enhanced derivative. The scan shown by default is the unmodified original, so any reading can be checked honestly.

Date
1942-04-27 (note); minuted 28 and 29 April 1942
From
[Intelligence Bureau, Home Department — signature illegible]
To
H.D. (Sir R. Tottenham) [Home Department]
Classification
SECRET
File reference
Marginal file stamp reads H.D. 2442/42-Poll(I), 28.4.42
Page
single sheet, complete — the most heavily annotated document in the collection
Document type
Internal departmental note with manuscript minutes (Intelligence Bureau / Home Department)

Signatories

  • [name not given, signature illegible]Intelligence Bureau, Home DepartmentAutograph signature above the date 27.4.1942, illegible
  • Sir Richard TottenhamAdditional Secretary, Home DepartmentAutograph manuscript minute signed "R Tottenham", dated 28/4
  • [name not given]Additional Secretary's officeAutograph initials above the date 29.4.42 at the foot

Marginalia & annotations

Extensive. A boxed file stamp in red in the left margin, and a column of pencil noting-marks down the left margin (largely illegible). The central manuscript minute is signed by Tottenham and dated 28/4. This document records the decision point at which the Government chose to approach Joshi.

Transcript verbatim

SECRET.

                        (Intelligence Bureau, H.D.)
                                ---

        With reference to our conversation with H.H.M. this
afternoon on the subject of certain members of the
Communist Party, I write to suggest that as an experiment
P.C.Joshi's warrant should be withdrawn to enable us to
consider his attitude to the war by means of personal
contact with him. It is to be understood that if we
are not satisfied that he means to play the game, the
warrant will be re-issued from a date which will give
him a month or so to cover up his tracks again.

                                [signed, illegible]
                                27. 4. 1942.

H.D. (Sir R.Tottenham).

        [manuscript minute, partly legible:] I [word illegible] asked that
        Joshi's meeting with Sir S Cripps having come off[?]
        H.M. agrees with the above.
        Prov[incia]l Gov[ernmen]ts will presumably have
        to be informed - with the reasons

                                [signed] R Tottenham
                                28/4.

        I have consulted Mr.Ahmed. He has no objection
to Provinces being brought into the picture to the extent
of the above note, but would prefer that there were no
mention of the further possibilities that are to be
explored, e.g. anti-war front etc. I put up a draft to
Provinces accordingly.

        Mr.Ahmed has also asked that he should be given
an official note embodying this decision for communication
to P.C.Joshi. I said that I saw no objection to this and
put up a suggested draft. I gather that this is wanted
very urgently, as the link is likely to be visiting Mr.
Ahmed shortly.

Addl.Secy.                              [initialled] 29.4.42