Cambridge readers of the New York Times were shocked yesterday to learn that their own McGeorge Bundy had betrayed them. The Times story related how a zealous Bundy had persuaded a reluctant President Kennedy that Harvard diplomas ought to be in English. His shrewd argument--"all students understand English"--was reported to have overcome Kennedy's "traditionalist" objections.

The black inference was clear to Bundy's friends: "et tu, Mac," they thought, "power has so turned your head that you are prepared to sell Harvard down the Charles and the Potomac at the same time."

Happily for Cambridge, Bundy has denied the Times story. And, while sighs of relief are surely in order, one is left speculating what low purpose the Times has in smearing Bundy's good name. Is it divide and conquer? Is it some hidden Yalie blood feud? Or is it just incompetence? One wonders.