GENERAL BOOTH PLANS DRAMATIC RETURN TO CITY

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6804, 7 January 1929, Page 7

GENERAL BOOTH PLANS DRAMATIC RETURN TO CITY

Opponents Surprised BELIEVED PRESENCE WOULD SWAY COUNCIL GREAT PERSONALITY. Australian Press Association. Received Sunday, 7.0 p.m. LONDON, Jan. 5. Surprises continue to occur in the Salvation Army crisis. Th.o Daily Express understands Qenoral Booth is planning a dramatic appearance in person at the High Council. This decision naturally depends on his health. It is felt that the journey from Southwold will be a great strain but his wife aud daughter, who are at the head of the group supporting the General, have arranged comfortable transport by motor. General Booth is not a member of the High Council and it will bo impossible for him to bo present at the conference hall. Nevertheless, he has a suite of rooms at Sunbury Court, wliero the Council is being held and his presence would exert a powerful influence on its decision.

General Booth's plan has greatly surprised the opposing Army groups. The opportunists are, frankly surprised and realise the General’s presence makes a decision more difficult. One leader said that ho cannot deny the force of the" General’s personality and to many councillors, who have known him for long years, the sight of him would recall tender recollections. Possible Split BETWEEN ENGLISH AND OVERSEAS FACTIONS. United Service. Received Sunday 7.0 p.m. LONDON, Jan. 5. In the meantime, a fresh crisis ie brewing. Some overseas members express the opinion that the purely English character of the Army control hinders its work thousands of miles distant. Thus, the possibility of a split in tho British and international sections must uow be reckoned with. Should the High Council decido to retain General Booth or to accept his nomination of a successor, it is understood certain overseas delegates will consider breaking away from the main body. Dispute Develops MELBOURNE DIVISIONAL COMMANDER SUSPENDED. MELBOURNE, Jan. 5. A sensational development has occurred in the dispute among tho senior officers of the Salvation Army, who gathered in conference to decide whether General Booth should remain head of the Army, Because in his addresses to his officers he made statements criticising members of the High Council in England, Brigadier E. Slattery, Divisional Commander of the Melbourne Central Division, has been suspended.