ARMY'S CRISIS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 5, 7 January 1929, Page 7

ARMY'S CRISIS.

CHANGE OF LEADER.

Procedure Of High Council

To Depose Booth.

THREE-FOURTHS MAJORITY.

(Australian Press Assn. —United Service.) (Received 10 a.m.) LONDON, January 6. A high official of the Salvation Army, explaining the procedure that would have to be followed by the council on January 8, says the High Council can only be summoned if the general resigns or dies without nominating a successor. The council is at present summoned, however, by requisition deed constituting the council in 1904, which provides that, if a three-fourths majority for removing the general is not obtained, the council automatically dissolves forthwith.

If a requisite majority is secured, the council proceeds to elect a successor immediately. When this is done the council is automatically dissolved. It is not empowered legally to deal with constitutional questions but can agree to make certain recommendations to the general. A further deed, like the deed of 1904, might enable changes to be brought into effect but strong legal opinion exists that any changes affecting the Army's foundation deed of 1878 would require to be sanctioned by Act of Parliament.

BOOTH'S SUCCESSOR. Fight Developing Mostly Between Women. GENERAL'S INFLUENCE. (Australian and N.Z. Press Association.) LONDON, January 6. Surprises continue to occur in the Salvation Army crisis. The "Daily Express" understands that General Bramwell Booth is planning a dramatic appear,ance in person at a meeting of the High i Council. The decision naturally depends on his health. It is felt that the journey from Southwold will be a great strain, but his wife and daughter, who head the group •upporting him, have arranged for comfortable transport by motor. General Booth is not a member of the High Council and it is not possible for him to be present in the conference hall; nevertheless he has a suite of rooms at Sunbury Court where the council is being held, and his presence in the building would exert a powerful influence on the council's decision. General Booth's plan has surprised the opposing groups in the Army. They are frankly astonished, and realise that General Booth's presence makes the decision more difficult. One leader said: "I cannot deny the force of the general's personality. Many councillors have known him for long year* and the sight of him would recall tender recollections."

In the meantime a fresh crisis ie brewing and some oversea Salvationists are of the opinion that the purely English character of the Army is an impediment to work thousands of miles distant. Thus the possibility of a split between the British and International sections must now be reckoned with. Should the council decide to retain General Booth or to accept hie nomination of his successor, it is understood that certain overseas delegates will consider breaking away from the main body.

It is recalled that Herbert Booth, one of the most brilliant sons of the first general, foresaw the present situation in 1902. On May 20 of that year he wrote to his father from Adelaide asking him who was to succeed Bramwell. He suid the council had not yet exercised its powers, but some day these would be asserted and it would probably be a day of stress and storm. Then his prediction would be remembered. This was that the house would fall because it was not founded on fact, but on contradiction.

The "Sunday Express" narrates an incident known to few. General Bramwell Booth was in a state of great exultation as he drove away with his wife after his installation. Suddenly Mrs. Booth turned to him and said:* "And whose name will you put in the envelope?" (meaning the sealed envelope in which the chief of the Army names his successor.)

The answer has never been disclosed, but th* implication is unmistakable. After 17 years the fight has come, not so much between parties ae persons, and these persons are women.