While one University debating team is putting the finishing touches on their preparation for the debate with the University of Porto Rico on Thursday evening, a second team is working on the debate with Boston College on March 2. This week marks the beginning of the season for Freshmen debaters, who meet the first year men of Brown on Friday, and Exeter on February 25.

Theodore Roosevelt '09, Governor of Porto Rico, is sponsoring the debate with the University of Porto Rico, in which Harvard will uphold the negative of the statement: "Resolved, that this house condemns the growing influence of the United States in the Western Hemisphere."

Roosevelt made the following statement with regard to the visit of the Porto Ricans to Cambridge:

"I am delighted that a debate has been arranged between Harvard and our University of Porto Rico. There is one basis, and only one, on which we can build up a satisfactory relationship, and that is by mutual comprehension, understanding, and sympathy. Because of its peculiar position, the University of Porto Rico can play the major part in this role. As a member of the Class of 1909, I am delighted to find that Harvard grasps this."

Personnel of Teams

A. J. Colorado, the captain of the Porto Rican team, is a veteran debater of four years' experience, and has been here before. He and his two colleagues, J. E. Geigel and V. M. Gutierrez, will uphold the affirmative. Opposing them, Harvard will have H. C. Friend '31, G. E. Lodgen '32, and G. F. Oest '33.

The Harvard debate with Porto Rico is the first of a series in which the latter team will enter. They plan to spend two and a half months touring the United States, making visits to the major colleges of the country.

The debating society is preparing with special care for the meeting with Boston College, as that team was one of the few that defeated Harvard last season. The Harvard team will be composed of P. J. Cohen '32, P. C. Reardon '32, and D. M. Sullivan '33, with R. B. Eckles '32 and J. B. Gregg '31 as alternates.

Last night, the preliminary trials for the Freshman debate with the Brown first year men were held in Gore Hall. About twenty-five candidates reported, and an equal number are expected to participate on Thursday in the trials for the Exeter debate. The Freshmen will be helped by two of the University coaches, while preparing their first contests.