Holding the view that it is a pity for us
to lose our own manners even if other people lose theirs, I am not much enamoured of the B.B.C.'s new practice of dropping the prefix Herr, or Monsieur, or whatever it may properly be, when the political leaders of Germany, and even of Russia, with which we are in full diplomatic relations, are con- cerned. An occasional reference to Hitler, or Mussolini, unadorned provokes no comment ; their prominence justifies the usage. But why tell us consistently that Count Ciano visited Ribbentrop, or Monsieur Sarajoglu called on Molotoff? Field Marshal Goering, moreover, still holds his rank, even if he is fighting against us. No doubt we should like to strip him of his epaulets if we could. Failing that, it seems a little childish to strip him of his title.
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