That the boy was more than ordinarily intelligent may even be seen in the abbreviated report of one of his speeches preserved in the school magazine.

The subject of debate was that "Marshal Bazaine was a traitor to his country," and Baden-Powell spoke against the motion.

The report says that he "appeared to be firmly convinced that the French plan of the war was to get the Prussians between Sedan and Metz, and play a kind of game of ball with them.

By surrendering, Bazaine saved lives which would be of use against the Communists.

As there was only a government _de facto_ in Paris he was compelled to act for himself." But even eloquence of this order was not sufficient to persuade Charterhouse that Bazaine deserved no censure.