Council Enters West Point Debate; Academy Team Does Not Compete

The Harvard Debate Council entered the ninth annual West Point National Invitational Debate Tournament on Wednesday with the West Point team playing only a spectator role for the first time since the tournament began.

The absence of the Cadets is the result of a directive issued last year by the Superintendent of the Academy banning the West Point team from debating the national topic, "Resolved: That the United States should extend diplomatic recognition to the Communist government of China."

The Debate Council telegrammed the Department of Defense at that time, and urgently requested a reversal of the decision. Assistant Secretary of Defense Fred A. Seaton replied, however, that the decision was reviewed by Chief of Staff of the Army, General Matthew B. Ridgway, who upheld the directive because he thought it improper for the Cadets to participate, as they are integral parts of the armed forces.