DRAMATIC DISMISSAL OF GENERAL BOOTH.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 18 January 1929, Page 8

DRAMATIC DISMISSAL OF GENERAL BOOTH.

HIGH COUNCIL'S DECISION. ADJUDGED UNFIT FOR SUPREME COMMAND. Received Thursday, 7.45 p.m. LONDON, Jan. 17. The Salvation Army High Council, by 55 votes to 8, adjudicated General Branvwell Booth unfit to continue in the supreme command of the Army. An official statement of the Salvation Army Council states that the vote is a complete vindication of the «•▼*> commissioners who requested the calling of the High Council. Their action is absolutely unprecedented but in t'he circumstances with which they were confronted, they felt there was no alternative. Nevertheless they have been subjected to considerable abuse from uninformed quarters where their action has been very unfairly criticised and misrepresented .although all arc old and tried officers, with an average of 44 years' service.

The statement stresses t\\o point that the seven arc guided by independent legal advice, ensuring that their actions are entirely in accord with the deed of constitution signed by the founder, on the terms of which the present. General accepted office.

The statement concludes: "An ex> amination of the voting for tion reveals that the seven wore justi' tied in their action by the support ol every territorial commander, with tlu exception of the General's .laughter Colonel Mary Booth."

Climax of Conference

VOTED AGAINST LEADER BUT WEPT FOR HIM.

SUCC'ESP'OK TO BE CHOSEX .F.RIDAY MoRaING.

Keceived Thursday, 7.1.1 p.tn. LONDON, ./;•!!. 17. After six days' .secret, i-onr'orenco, the High Council of (ill gatheiv.i from all over the world, reached n climax at nu early hour this morning, with (he momentous ballot.

The delegates had been sitting almost contimioudly since yesterday afternoon. Snow was falling when the Council was due to meet but suon sunshine, the first since it assembled, flooded the chamber. was slow. Lunch time vmime and a brief statement was issued, mentioning the hymn "He hearcth mo," the recital of the Lord's Prayei, and the forty-eighth Psalm. Then tho afternoon sitting was resumed and the Council adjourned for dinner at 7.4;j and reassembled for the purpose of the secret ballot, the 'delegates voting on paper. The result reached the newspapers after the first editions had gone to press. As soon as the figures were known, an officer hurried to a villa nearby, the headquarters of the Booth family and informed Colonel Bernard Booth, who was waiting at the telephone, who sent tin; message to his father at Southwold.

The Council then adjourned tinti Friday, morning, when the appointmen of a successor to General Booth wil be discussed.

Although the decision dirt not surprise the delegates, several who wore personal friends of the General showed signs of emotion. Sunbury Court, which for many hours had been hidden in the darkness of night, became a scene of great animation. Soon a stream of cars was speeding members from the grounds to various parts of the country. The news shocked the family, who maintained till tho last the idea that the General might be retained in the supreme command.

]t is learned that there were impressive scenes in the council chambef after the ballot, when the gathering rose and sang four lines of the hymn "Oh when we cannot see our way, Let us trust and still obey. He that bids us forward go,

Cannot fail the way to show."

Progress Slow Over Legal Difficulties GENERAL BELIEVED MENTALLY UNEIT. Received Thursday, 5.5 p.m. LONDON, Jan. 16. The High Council, on its resumption to-day. found itself faced by involved legal difficulties and it was necessary to refer several points to the sub-com-mittee appointed to deai with legal questions. " The Army's solicitor had frequently to be consulted and progress consequently was slow. Nothing had been derided when it adjourned. It is also understood the proceedings became very heated concerning •the fundamental point of General Booth 's mental fitness. The deputation privately reported that lie was mentally unstable and such ti serious position has been reached that there is more than the possibility of litigation in the High Court. The Council may adjourn for some •time for consultations, prayer and meditation. Two councillors have been | taken ill. General Booth is so impressed bv the eiliciency of ray therapy in the King's illness that he has arranged to undergo similar treatment.

No Hope of Compromise LENGTHY DEBATE BEFORE ! MAKING PINAL DECISION. British Official Wireless. RUGBf, Jan. 16. The High Council of the Salvation Army to-day further discussed the resolution to adjudicate General Bramwcll Booth a.« unfit to retain the leadership. The General's refusal to accept the council's suggestion, that he should retire, was discussed for more than four hours yesterday. It was expected to-day that the council would take u vote almost immedi-

atcly after its assembly. Many members, howevW, were reluctant to* take the final step of deposing the General. They still hoped that some sort of a compromise might be reached, whereby the General could continue to hold power for the term of his life. It is stated that any decision to depose- the General will be challenged in the law i-.ourts by the General's supporters.