ARMISTICE "
Sts,—Twice on the front page of your issue of May 28th, when speaking of the forthcoming defeat of our enemies, you refer to " the armistice." Surely this terminology is, in view of the avowed intention of our leaders to exact unconditional surrender, inaccurate and out of tune with the sentiments of the country itself. Possibly the word " armistice " has been used as a synonym for " surrender " ; however, in the interests of clear thinking I hope that a journal having the literary quality, dialectical standard and ancient lineage of The Spectator w:11 not again sanction
the use of an expression which some might interpret as a wavering of our determination, or as an implication that we might discuss terms with the enemy.—Very truly yours, JOHN F. GATES. " Barncroft," Shootersway, Berkhamsted, Herts.
[In the interests of clear writing The Spectator must continue to use the word " armistice " (from arma and -stitium), which means " cessation of hostilities," when it has occasion to refer to the cessation of hostilities.—ED., The Spectator.]
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