The writer of the communication published in another column, apparently does not understand the attitude which the CRIMSON has taken towards the proposed freshman debate with Yale. That we have been in large part, if not wholly, responsible for the encouragement which the debate has received, is an unexpected proposition, and one which is in no way justified by the facts. In one point, however, our correspondent is right. We might very properly have condemned the entire idea of a freshman debate as soon as it was suggested. We did not do this, and a challenge was sent to the Yale Freshman Union. It was a few days ago that we had news of the way this challenge was received at Yale. The Freshman Union there postponed final decision in the matter until the general sentiment of the class with regard to the desirability of a debate could be ascertained.

It was in view of this uncertainty at Yale that our brief editorial was written. We felt that the expression of opposition at Harvard to the debate, might have some effect in determining the decision of the Yale freshmen. If they could be influenced to refuse the challenge, the debate would be as effectively, though not as satisfactorily, prevented, as if the challenge had never been sent. We did not, therefore, regard our editorial as a discouragement to the Harvard Freshman Debating Club in following a course of action to which it was already finally committed, but as an attempt, however late, to put such committal out of the question. If in the end the challenge is accepted, the club will find none more earnest than we shall be in supporting its efforts to make the first freshmen contest in debate a success.