SALVATION ARMY LEADER

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 92, 12 January 1929, Page 9

SALVATION ARMY LEADER

ASKED TO RETIRE i UNABLE TO CONTINUE . BURDENS OF OFFICE DECISION OF HIGH COUNCIL The High Council of the Salvation Army decided to ask General Booth to retire from the leadership. Seven members of the Council will see the General in his sick-room and convey to him the Council’s decision. (United Press Association.—By Elect Telegraph.—Copyright.) Sunbury on Thames, January 10 An official bulletin issued by the i thority of the High Council states The council resumed its sitting t morning, and after the usual open sei vices proceeded to consider busin in connection with a letter of Janui 6 received from the General. As a result of the deliberations 1 lowing the reception of the letter, council resolved to communicate w the General and submit the follow resolution, which was passed by council without a dissentient vote “This council desires to place on cord its high appreciation of the I and labours of General Bramwell Boand to join with him in gratitude God for his partial restoration health. It expresses the hope that improvement may be maintained.

“The council, being unable to ; the practicability of the suggest made by the General, and realising to be most unlikely, at the Generi advanced age, that he can ever reco sufficiently to take up the burdens der which he collapsed, takes this portunity of requesting him' to operate with the council in secur. the Army’s future welfare, and to t! end resolves that, the General bei as his doctors assure us, capable considering important questions t giving decisions thereon, the preside vice-president, and five members the council be deputed to see General and suggest he should ret from office, retaining the title of G eral, and continuing to enjoy the h ours and dignities attaching thereto It had not been intended to cc municate this resolution to the Pr until the General had had time to c sider it, but in view of the fact ti the terms of the General’s letter wcommunicated, without the knowlec of the council, to a London jourr the council decided to publish the ter of this resolution. The council adjourned early t afternoon to give the seven delega appointed to wait on the general portunity to visit him. After sing “O God, Our Help in Ages Past,” letter to the General, couched in all tionate terms, was laid on the pr< dent’s table. An impressive scene J lowed, as silently one after another the council members walked up to ' president’s table and signed what v doubtless prove to be an historic do ment. This ceremony was descril as a veritable sacrament Fifty-six of the officers present si ed the letter. The council is called meeting again on Saturday morning SIGNING OF HISTORIC DOCUMENT GENERAL’S LETTER SEI TO “WAR CRY’’ PUBLICATION STOPPED 1 COUNCIL (Australian Press Association.) (Rec. January 11, 5.5 p.m.) London, January 1( There was impressive silence atgathering of the High Council of Salvation Army while fifty-six offic walked up and signed the histc document. Seven abstained.

A deputation, including Commissi er Hay, of New Zealand, and Lit Commissioner Kaines, internatio headquarters, Commissioner J. C ningham, European secretary, Comr sioner Mitchell, of Sweden, Comr sioner Brengle, of United States, Lie Commissioner Yamimuro, of Jap and Colonel Mrs. Trounce, of In, will see General Booth on Friday. Mrs. Booth motored to Souths immediately after the decision to < vey the news to her husband. The Council will reassemble on I urday.

General Booth, asked to comment the decision, which was conveyed special courier, replied: “I am n grateful, but at present I have reply.” It was learned to-night that Gem Booth’s letter was sent last week the Army’s paper, the “War C: which actually printed twenty tl sand copies before the High Cou: was cognisant thereof. The Cou: stopped the publication and ordered copies already printed to be burned the Army’s printing works, St. Alb: The High Council took the view t the letter was a piece of propaga written with the idea of influent their decision, as well as the opii of the rank and file. The unanimity of to-day’s deci: suggests that if the General does accede to the Council’s request, it declare him unfit to carry on his < ies. General Booth has retained W. A. Jowitt, King’s Counsel, to' dress the High Council on his beb [General Bramwell Booth has I head of the Salvation Army since 1 He was the eldest son of the late ( oral William Booth, founder of ! Army, and was nominated by the General as his successor. The lb General, according to the present i stitution of the Army, nominates successor and leaves the name i| sealed envelope for revelation after death. General Bramwell Booth ; been very seriously ill for -s months at his home in Southwold: