Considered from any point of view the proposed intercollegiate and international boat race between the University crews of Cambridge, England, and Harvard College, is an important event, and one that should be encouraged by all true Americans. It makes no difference which side wins, the good results to come from such a contest remain unaltered.

The Harvard boys say they have a poor crew to represent American oarsmen, and complain of the action of the faculty, which prohibits them from hiring a professional "coach." Then, again, the Cambridge crew is probably the most formidable collection of amateur oarsmen in the world, and it would seem that nothing but the very best training of the very best men in Harvard should be pitted against such famous champions.

This is the conservative view of the students at Harvard, who are well aware of their own weak points, and of the strength of their rivals across the seas.

But there is another view to take of the subject. If America is proud of anything she is proud of her manhood and vigor, of her powers by land and sea, and of her acknowledged lead in all kinds of sports where a cool head and manly vigor win honors; and in no place is this pride more marked than right here in Eastern Massachusetts, in Boston, the "hub" of sports as well as of the universe.

Here is the home of the Mayflower and Puritan, to say nothing of our League base-ball nine, and a dozen other equally famous attachments, which make Boston the world's centre, so far as sports are concerned.

Owing to a whim on the part of Harvard's faculty, amateur rowing has received no encouragement of late, and the crimson has paled before colleges of more enterprise. But let it be understood that fair Harvard has been selected to uphold the honor of the nation in a friendly contest, and this lukewarm feeling will give place to enthusiasm, and there will be such a revival in aquatic sports as America has never seen.

Harvard has grit and enterprise. She has athletic bodies as well as vigorous brains, and Boston has money enough to back her favorite boys and give them every assistance needed. Let Captain Keyes go ahead and begin to train his crew at once, let him pick his men for coolness and endurance, and then let him say what he wants in order to make a winning crew, and the people will see to it that every aid shall be furnished.

September is a long way off yet. There is ample time to remedy every defect. If the Harvard eight will organize now and show true American energy, they will have a good chance of winning next fall. The prize is worth trying for. Will Harvard make the effort? - Boston Globe.