[jmilkbal]

Language was also less ambiguous because they didn't leave out important punctuation or relative pronouns. I expected Tolkien to be a on Hitler's side because I interpreted the title as "Tolkien Snubs a German Publisher, Asking for Proof of His “Aryan Descent", but the author means "Tolkien Snubs a German Publisher Who Asked for Proof of His “Aryan Descent". Writing ain't what it used to be, even if only the clergy and royalty could do it!

[stormbrew]

It's a headline. Take a look at some newspaper headlines from 1938:

https://www.google.ca/search?q=1938+newspaper+headlines&espv...

Not really any different.

[R_Edward]

I have a clipping from a small regional daily newspaper from the 60s. The headline reads, "U.S., Canada Rear Warning Staveal Sites of Radtions" which sounds ominous indeed. It took me several tries to realize that someone most have dropped the line of type, breaking it, and reassembling it in the wrong order. It should have read, "U.S., Canada Reveal Sites of Radar Warning Stations"

[ycaspirant]

Yes, I also found the title to be ambiguous until I read the article.