Almost flawless broadcasting and prepared and delivered speeches characterized the first transoceanic debate as argued by Harvard and Oxford teams on Saturday.

The Harvard men who heard the contest from the radio in the Union, as broadcast by station WEEI in Boston felt that the debate was a complete success and a very closely contested one.

The National Broadcasting Company, sponsor of the debate, is awaiting the receipt of comments from the audience in order to give a decision. As this vote will come from Americans only its impartiality will be questionable owing to the strong opinion prevalent in this country against cancelling the debts.

Fine Broadcasting Conditions

Under excellent broadcasting conditions the debate began at 6 o'clock with the introduction of the first speaker by James W. Gerard, former ambassador to Germany. Opening the affirmative issue A. J. Irvine, in an excellent outspoken talk claimed that Germany could not pay her debts, and that the one year moratorium of President Hoover was not sufficient. He criticized the French attitude on reparations as selfish, and claimed that the creditor nations should rally to help Germany out of her present crisis out of a spirit of fair play.

Harvard's speaker, P. C. Reardon '32 started the negative argument, following Irvine's 9-minute talk. With this talk began a special competition lasting throughout the debate in which each speaker tried to claim for his country the questionable honor of having the worst state of depression. "Our vaunted prosperity of three short years ago has gone" he said. After citing our treasury deficit, unemployment, and agricultural troubles he stated "we should not be expected to shoulder Europe's burdens too. In summarizing his view he said that with greater economy and will to pay, Germany can pay.