17 JUNE 1943, Page 14

ARMISTICE SIR, —The further letter under the heading " Armistice "

in your issue of June a Ith confirms my original fears that the distinction between "unconditional surrender" and its antonym " armistice " is not being adequately stressed. The terms announced as agreed upon at Casablanca do not admit of dilution to "armistice," which dictionaries of the English language define as "a temporary cessation of hostilities ; a truce." I trust that after further reflection Sir Frederick Maurice and The Spectator will agree that any temptation to continue the usage of " armistice " is, in the circumstances, a pusillanimity which must be excluded from our thoughts.—Very truly yours, J. F. GATES. " Barncroft," Shootersway, Berkhantsted.

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