Correspondence with Edward John Thompson (1886-1946), teacher and writer, relating to an offer by Thompson to act as a reviewer of books on India, which is received with thanks, and the suggestion that Thompson write articles on India life for the back pages of the Manchester Guardian. Also included is an offer of an article by Thompson on education in India, with reference to student strikes, which is declined, and an offer of descriptive articles from Syria, which are accepted, with an internal memorandum discussing rates of payment.
There is also correspondence between Thompson and E.T. Scott, relating to an offer of articles on the political situation in India, and on the [first] round table conference, which are declined. There is discussion of an offer by Thompson to act as a correspondent for the paper on a visit to India, which is accepted, with discussion of arrangements, requirements of the role, terms and rate of payment, and a request that Thompson meet with [Malcolm] Muggeridge, journalist, and leader writer on India for the Manchester Guardian, which is granted. There is reference to other potential correspondent for the paper in India, and an enquiry made to [Geoffrey Theodore] Garratt, administrator in India and author, as to whether he intends to return to India in the near future. Also included are related internal memoranda.
There is discussion by Thompson of his experiences during his journey through India, of the political and economic situation in India, of attempts to encourage negotiations with Mohandas Karamchand [Mahatma] Gandhi, political leader and religious and social reformer, and a summation of the views he has expressed in his articles throughout the trip. There are expressions of praise by E.T. Scott for the articles provided by Thompson, and a request for a recommendation from Thompson for a correspondent for the Manchester Guardian who can provide comment and interpretation on India. There is reference to [Henry Noel] Brailsford, journalist and author, with clarification on his lack of recent association with the Manchester Guardian, and a request to be informed of any suggestion that Brailsford has represented himself as a correspondent for the paper. Also included is a letter from E.T. Scott to [John Tudor] Gwynn, civil servant in India, informing him of Thompson's employment as a correspondent in India.
There is discussion of reports of violence and house burning, and discussion of the army in India in an article by [Harry Verrier Holman] Elwin, missionary and anthropologist, on which E.T. Scott requests Thompson's opinion, and reference to the decision not to publish the article.
GDN/A/T17/7 is a [publishers' announcement] of An Indian Day by Thompson, [1927].