REQUEST TO RESIGN

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 10, 12 January 1929, Page 9

REQUEST TO RESIGN

ANSWER ON MONDAY ELEVENTH-HOUR SURPRISE (Beceived 12th January, noon.) ■. ■ ■. LONDON, 11th January. The deputation arrived at Gonoral Booth's house in two imposing limousines, and was received by a member of the household staff. The deputation left half an hour later and made no statement. ■ .'..■■ -.'...: Subsequently,- one. of General Booth's daughters made an announcement that the. General's condition had not permitted a reception, and that the delegates would .return, later., The deputation returned at 1 o'clock and entered the sick room. Each member shook hands with the General and expressed greetings and hopes for his recovery. Commissioner Hay then intimated the council's request that the General should resign. General Booth is reported to have intimated that he would give an answer on Monday. l . There was an eleventh-hour surprise for the General when? hig sister Eva hurriedly arrived by motor-car to join the deputation, though previously she had,not visited her brother. It was stated that hia sister Eva did not see her brother in view of the General's illness. "It Was thought wiser that the CbmmandeV should come another day." -.."-. 1 ■....•

Brigadier Smith, who has charge of General Booth, said that it was considered inadvisable* that Commander Eva Booth should see her. brother on the same day as'thb deputation. "That was surely enough/ he said, ■ "To bring such an ultimatum to a man in such a condition scarcely gives him a chance of recovery.* However, -the General took the situation* most calmly, and prayed for the deputation when it arrived and listened attentively. Later, he turned to Cunningham, who has charge of the new training'garrison at Denmark Hill, and said, 'Hay will doubtless think you've taken a page out of the.book of' Melbourne and Sydney.' " Brigadier Smith added: "The General will come back with new inspiration." .