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[pre-printed letterhead] 19-19a Cursitor St E C 4 THE GARDEN CITY PRESS LTD
LETTERPRESS PRINTERS BOOKBINDERS STATIONERS
LETCHWORTH : HERTS
John Lehmann Esq.,
The Hogarth Press,
37 Mecklenburgh Square,
LONDON, W.C. 1.
28th June 1940
Dear Mr. Lehmann,
With reference to your letter of the 27th inst[ant]., there appears to be a misunderstanding of our attitude in calling your attention to various passages in Ahmed Ali’s novel.
As far as I know, there is no question of any opposition on our part, we have simply brought to your notice the fact that there is an element of danger in publishing a book of this description at the present time, when the need of the nation is for concentration upon the major problem of maintaining its existence.
I note that some matter has been deleted and if you will be good enough to return the galleys with these alterations noted thereon, I suggest that the proofs then be submitted to the Censor who will promptly deal with the question of whether his Department would authorise publication. This seems to be to be the wisest course to pursue as there is no possible advantage to be obtained by running counter to National policy.
I hope to call and see you on Wednesday, 3rd July, about 12 noon - will that time suit you?
Yours faithfully | THE GARDEN CITY PRESS LTD. | M. C. Coaten [signature] | Secretary