Letter and cables to P.R.S. Mani from S. Sadanand (Editor, Free Press Journal), 1946

Letters and cables contain correspondence between Mr S. Sadanand (editor and founder of Free Press Journal), and P.R.S. Mani. Contents relate to articles written by P.R.S. Mani and Free Press Journal editorial policy, particularly in relation to identifying authors (with bylines as was then the American practice – Sadanand refuses Mani’s request for such identification) and to setting up a consolidated news office in Singapore. Mani is confirmed as FPJ correspondent for Malaya and Singapore.

1 Apr 46: Approval of Mani’s initial information on rice offer.

Five cables (unspecified dates) Sadanand to Mani: requesting confirmation of rice offer. Convey’s Nehru’s request for Mani to locate Indian Major in British Army, Inderjit Singh, missing believed killed 25 October 1945. Sadanand asks Mani to organize PM Sjahrir to make direct official statement to confirm rice offer either to Indian Government (ie British) or to Mani himself.

11 May 46: praise for Mani’s rice negotiations and scoop but refusal of Mani’s request for byline identification of himself as author. ‘Unacknowledging names of correspondents part of our cardinal policy’.

1 Aug 1946, Sadanand to Mani via Singapore Office, re organization and setting up of new Singapore office.