The daily morning journal and courier., 1895-10-16


 in June the matter was reopened The | statements then made In the newspa- pers were substantially correct, that | Harvard has held out the "olive branch | by suggesting a dual league. This was | not officially done, and it should not be | spoken of as the overture of one college 1 or the other; but In private conversa- 1 tions between recognized leaders of the | two universities 1t was urged on the | part of Harvard that, under the cir cumstances she could not say anything l which could be construed into an apolo- | l gy and that Yale ought not to demand | it; that Yale ought to receive the offer of the dual league as the best possible Vindication in the power of Harvard men; that where the party alleged to l have been injured offered, or was will ing, to enter into co-partnership for term of years in all sports with the party alleged to have committed the in- 1 jury, the vindication was complete. It
 was too late to get Yale men together | during the summer, but they were con
 suited by letter and the plan approved. Accordingly, in September, representa-
 tive men of the two universities met at
 a dinner given in New York city by Judge Rowland. There were present l two members of the Harvard board of 1 overseers, the most prominent bene- factor 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 I term of years, without any other an- lnouncement to the public than the pub lication 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 it had really been brought about as the result of perfectly friendly meetings 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 g. or 16, lon neutral college grounds, seemed al
 most certainty. After delay Of about ten days information was re- ceived from one of the Harvard men
 that it would be necessary to bring lmember of the Harvard athletic com- I representatives. The agreement that had been reached was stated to this member of the committee, who replied that as a preliminary to any negotia-
 tions the Harvard athletic committee demanded that Yale should write ask ing for a game. This was in direct
 conflict with the previous understand ing, and compliance with it was promptly declined.
 ] In the meantime MT Stewart, a Yale
 man in Boston, by invitation of a Har-
 ward graduate had met Captain Brewer
 and Dr. Conant at dinner at the Puri-
 tan club and 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 1 Brewer with reference to game and ICaptain Brewer was then to reply. These negotiations were delayed by informa-
 tion of the New York agreement. When
 that agreement failed the negotiations
 were taken up again between MT. Stew art Dr. Brooks and Dr. Conant. The
 names are given because they have all sready been mentioned by the Harvard
 committee. After repeated conferences
 the terms of the two letters were fully
 agreed upon and they were as follows:
 CAPT. THORNE TO CAPT. BREWER, l 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 refer ence to football. I wish Yales position
 to be clearly understood and now ad- , dress this letter to you in order that no : possible ambiguity may remain There , is a price Yale will not pay for college sports. She considers them worth pre-
 serving only with competitors in whose
 sportsmanship she has confidence and who have reciprocal confidence in her . sportsmanship. This word means to her clean, honora ble, 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 strug- gles would lead to constant disagree ment-she believed they should cease. It was to settle this question that my
 letter was written. If Harvard's posi-
 tion has been misinterpreted, I saw no reason and now see no reason why we
 should not meet and arrange a football game and I am ready to do so
 CAPT. BREWER TO CAPT. THORNE. Your favor of the inst received. It would seem that Yale and Harvard
 have been unnecessarily held apart by 7 reason of failure on the part of each , to clearly understand the positions talk en 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
 genuine sportsmanship and the sports manlike spirit of Yale teams 1 write , this in simple justice to the feelings of | Harvard men who heartily depreca ted f l the exaggerated newspaper assaults up-
 on 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 above for myself. I shall be happy to meet iyou and arrange for a football game