DOCTORS DECLARE GENERAL BOOTH MAKING PROGRESS

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6806, 9 January 1929, Page 7

DOCTORS DECLARE GENERAL BOOTH MAKING PROGRESS

Report For High Council

MENTAL CAPACITY ‘ NEVER IMPAIRED

FIT FOR DUTY IN SIX MONTHS,

British Official Wireless. Received Tuesday, 7.0 'p.m, RUGBY, Jau. 7. On the eve of the meeting of the High Council of the Salvation Army, a. medical bulletin has been issued, signed by two doctors, which says: “After having carefully examined General Booth on December 30th. last, we . are of opinion the General is making satisfactory progress towards recovery. His physical condition though still poor, is gradually improving. His illndss has followed the expected conrso and there is every reason to believe the General should be able to resume his Work within six months. “As there have been rumours that the General’s mental powers have been affected,, we take this opportunity of stating there never has been any question of mental incapacity. His intellect remains unimpaired. He is now well able to give decisions and advise on important' matters but it is advisable that he should • have as much quiet as pos sible and not be burdened with unnecessary, anxiety, as this will tend to retard his recovery.”

Tho signatures are Dr. Weir, who is physician to the Prince of Wales and Dr. Milne, who has been doctor in attendance pn the General for many years. The .bulletin will be presented to the High Council and must have some important bearing on its decisions.

Strictest Secrecy Regarding , ’', .. Meeting

INSPIRED STATEMENT IN GENERAL’S DEFENCE,

LONDON, Jan. 7. A statement published apparently an inspired one, sets out that it is utterly wrong that the High Council's proceedings should be kept strictly secret. < “The SunbuTy conclave is not solely the concern of the Council of the Salvation Army and the Booth family. It is also the concern of the general public which throughout has contributed the bulk of the army’s assets. Therefore, the ‘hush-hush’ policy should be abandoned ,and the discussion held openly in the presence of press representatives.”

The statement loirls out that the high Council is in nowise representative of the countries from which its members come. All have been appointed and promoted by the General himself. They are even forbidden to discuss the plans of their own work with subordinates.

The statement points out that the council is not empowered to substitute jeal democratic authority in the place of one man control of the Army's destinies. The deed of constitution lays down that the organisations must continue under the direction and control pf one person. This is an undoubted evil, but it was accepted with open eyes by Salvationists from top to bottom.

Extraordinary precautions are being taken to obtain secrecy at Sunbury Court. Visitors are not allowed even to see the council room. The police havo been instructed to guard the gates, even the gounds. The houso was formerly a country club, and the council will meet in the former ballroom.

■ It is officially stated that General Booth will not attend the council meeting. He is still at Southwold, and though sufficiently strong to sit up, he is in no way able to journey to the conference. On the other hand, Colonel Tucker is still doubtful. Ho says: “The General is the sort of a man who if he makes up his mind to attend he will at all costs."

Mrs Booth, herself a commissioner, will, in any case, lead the defence of her husband.