YALE FOOTBALL STATEMENT.

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overture of one college or the other; but in private conversation between recognized leaders of the two universities it was urged on the part of Harvard that, under the circumstances, she could not say anything that could be construed into an apology, and that Yale ought not to demand it; that Yale ought to receive the offer of the dual ieague as the best possible vindication of Harvard men; that where the party alleged to have been injured offered or was willing to enter into a copartnership for a term of years in all sports with the party alleged to have committed the injury, the vindication was complete. It was too late to get Yale men together during the summer, but they were consulted by letter and the plan was approved.

Accordingly, in September representative men of the two universities met at a dinner in New York City, given by Judge Howland. There were present two members of the Harvard Board of Overseers, the most prominent benefactor of its athletic interests, and other eminent Harvard graduates. A full understanding was reached by which a dual league in all branches of athletics was to be entered into for a term of years, without any other announcement to the public than the publication of the indenture when signed. It was expressly understood, on the suggestion of the Harvard men, that no letter should be written by either side. The agreement was to be left exactly as if it had been brought about as the result of a perfectly friendly meeting between representatives of the two universities. The Harvard men undertook to get the assent of the requisite authorities to give it validity, and a game on November 9 or 16, on neutral college grounds, seemed almost a certainty. After a delay of about ten days information was received from one of the Harvard men that it would be necessary to bring a member of the Harvard Athletic Committee into communication with Yale representatives. The agreement that had been reached was stated to this member of the committee, who replied that preliminary to any negotiations the Harvard Athletic Committee demanded that Yale should write asking for a game.

"This was in direct conflict with the previous understanding and compliance with it was promptly declined. In the meantime, Mr. Stewart, a Yale man in Boston, by invitation of a Harvard graduate, had met Captain Brewer and Dr. Conant at a dinner at the Puritan Club, and had discussed with them the football situation. It was suggested that letters might be passed between Captain Thorne and Captain Brewer which would meet the views of both sides, and the substance of what should be said was agreed upon. Captain Thorne was first to write to Captain Brewer with reference to a game and Captain Brewer was then to reply. These negotiations were delayed by information of the New York agreement. When that agreement failed the negotiations were taken up again by Mr. Stewart, Dr. Brooks and Dr. Conant. The names are given because they have already been mentioned by the Harvard committee. After a reported conference the terms of the two letters were fully agreed upon and they are as follows:

"Captain Thorne to Captain Brewer:

"'It has been repeatedly intimated to me of late that Harvard men have been in doubt as to the meaning of a letter sent by me to you last spring, in reference to football. I wish Yale's position to be clearly understood, and now address this letter to you in order that no possible ambiguity may remain. There is a pride Yale will not pay for college sports. She considers them worth preserving with competitors in whose sportsmanship she has confidence, and who have reciprocal confidence in her sportsmanship. This also means her clean, honorable, forbearing rivalry on every field. She was led to doubt whether Harvard still extended that confidence in her. If Harvard did not, if there was danger that these old struggles would lead to constant disagreement, she believed they should cease. It was to settle this question that my letter was written. If Harvard's position has been misinterpreted, I saw no reason, and now see no reason, why she should not meet and arrange a football game, and I am ready to do so.'

"Captain Brewer to Captain Thorne:

"'Your favor of the-inst. received. It would seem that Yale and Harvard have been unnecessarily held apart by reason of a failure on the part of each to clearly understand the position taken by the other under the conditions which arose last spring. Permit me to assure you, speaking for myself, and I believe for Harvard supporters, we have not questioned, and do not question, the general sportsmanship of Yale teams. I write this in simple justice to Harvard men who heartily deprecated the exaggerated newspaper assaults upon the Yale team as manifested in the winter and spring. Dr. W. A. Brooks and Dr. W. M. Conant authorize me to speak for them as I have spoken for myself. I shall be happy to meet you and arrange for a football game this fall.'

"It was believed that this plan would meet the requirement that Yale should write first and these letters were then submitted to the chairman of the Harvard Athletic Committee. He desired, after full conference, a day to consider them and to confer with certain persons, and the next evening refused to allow the compromise to be effected in this manner. This result was reached on Tuesday evening of last week. At the last moment certain prominent Harvard alumni in New York offered to write to Captain Thorne a letter urging him to write some kind of a letter to Captain Brewer, but this project was vetoed by the chairman of the Harvard Athletic Committee in a letter saying that he resented any interference by Harvard graduates, and that any arrangement for a game thus made would not be ratified. There the negotiations stopped. It is fair to say that the Harvard alumni interested in athletics have acted in a thoroughly handsome and conciliatory spirit and that, so far as they are concerned, there was no reason why a game should not have been arranged.

"Signed,

ARTHUR FOOTE, "President Yale Football Management."