Although the date for the trials to select speakers for the Princeton debate has not yet been definitely fixed, it is not too early to say a few words in relation to an event of so much importance. Until within the last three years Harvard's supremacy in debating was undisputed; she had met and vanquished both Yale and Princeton several times. But now for three consecutive years Yale has beaten us. Last year, although Harvard beat Princeton, the latter showed by her defeat of Yale that she was a dangerous competitor. Those who have the interests of Harvard debating most at heart have been seeking for the reason of these changed conditions. And the inevitable conclusion reached is that while our rivals have improved, interest in debating here has flagged. The weekly debates of both the Union and the Forum have been poorly supported, and some of the best debaters seem to have dropped almost entirely out of sight.

Now this state of things is far from satisfactory, and must be remedied if Harvard is ever to regain her debating supremacy. The debating clubs have taken a great step in this direction in laying aside petty rivalries and resolving to work with a united purpose. That this aim shall succeed must lie to a great extent with the individuals themselves. Accordingly every man should take an active interest in seeing that the good work not only is not impeded, but that it shall be carried on vigorously. To this end we urge most strenuously that the coming trial see every man of any debating ability competing for a place on the team.