Debate Club Protests Ban On Topic to High Officials

The Debate Council wired special telegrams to top government officials protesting the restriction of debate at West Point and Annapolis, Ralph I. Petersberger '55, president of the Council, announced last night.

Wires went to President Eisenhower, the Secretaries of the Army and Navy, Massachusetts' Senators and the heads of the Academies.

The action followed an official report yesterday that neither service academy would allow cadets to argue the intercollegiate debating topic on the question of recognizing Red China.

"This is certainly an ill-timed decision by the Academies," Petersberger declared. "Their announcement seems to eradicate confidence in the Bill of Rights at a time when McCarthyism is being argued on the floor of the Senato."

The Army said the ban was necessary because its policy did not allow debate "on such a controversial topic." A statement from the Navy added that it feared arguing this topic "would make the Navy liable to misrepresentation."

Lack of Confidence

The Council telegram, nowever, urged the Academies to reconsider their decision because it "contradicts the spirit of free discussion" and "implies a lack of faith in American foreign policy."

The wire also charged that there was "an alarming lack of confidence" in the future officers "who seemingly cannot be exposed to controversial issues."

Agreeing with the Council's main points, Robert G. McCloskey, associate professor of Government, stated that "it would be outrageous if anyone were called to account for what he might say in a debate." He maintained that cadets should be trained "beyond the military rule of thumb."

On the other hand, Bruce G. Hoppor '18, associate professor of Government, stated that "if young boys get the idea they can question political decisions, they will be loss good as officers."

The Debate Council felt that debating the Rod China topic is not questioning a decision, but a free investigation of both sides of the Communist problem "for a clearer understanding of the issues involved."