HIGH COUNCIL ASKS GENERAL BOOTH TO RETIRE FROM OFFICE

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6809, 12 January 1929, Page 9

HIGH COUNCIL ASKS GENERAL BOOTH TO RETIRE FROM OFFICE

Practical Unanimity WILL STILL RETAIN TITLE AND HONOURS WAR CRY ISSUE SUPPRESSED. OVERSEAS DEPUTATION TO INTERVIEW LEADER.

United Press Association— By ElectrU Telegraph—Copyright. Keceived Friday, 7 p.m. LONDON, Jau. 10. The High Council of the Salvation Army, London, dcpu-ecl deputation of five to visit General Booth to ask him to relive Horn office, retaining the title of General, with its honours and dignities. The High Council’s statement sayS ( •bat as a result of deliberations following the reception of the General s letter, the coluncil decided to submi. the following resolution, which was passod without dissent. # To place on record its hign appreelation of the General’s life and labours and to join with him in gratitude to God for partial restoration to health. The council, however, is unable to see the practicability ot the General’s suggestion, and resolves that as it is most unlikely, at his advanced age, that he can recover sufficiently to take up the burdens under which he collapsed, to take the opportunity of requesting him to cooperate with the council m securing the future welfare of the Army. After the singing of God our Help,” a letter to the General, couched in affectionate terms, was laid on the president’s table. . There was an impressive silence while 50 officers walked up and signed the historic document. Seven abstained. The deputation, including Commissioner Hay, of New Zealand and delegates from Sweden, America, Japan and India, will see General Booth on FnCommissioners Hay a h d Haines, the deputation will include Commissioners J. Cunningham, European secretary, Mitchell (Sweden), Brenglo (United States), Lt.-Comnns-sioner Yamimuro (Japan), and Colonel Mrs. Trounce (India). Mrs. Bramwell Booth motored to Southwold immediately after the decision to convey the news to her husband. The Council will re-assemble on Saturday. General Booth, on being asked to comment on the decision, which was conveyed by special courier, replied: 1 am most grateful, but at present I havo no reply.” It was learned to-night that Genera! Booth’s letter was sent to the Army’s paper, The War Cry, last week, of which were actually printed 20,000 copies before the High Council was cognisant of it. The Council stopped its publication and ordered the copies already printed to be burned at the Army’s printing works, St. Alban’s. The High Council took the view that the letter was a piece of propaganda, written with the idea of' influencing its decision, as well as the opinion of the rank and file. The practical unanmity of to-day’s decision suggests that if the Genera! does not accede to the Council’s request, it will declare him unfit to carry on his duties. General Booth has retained Mr. W. A. Jowitt, K.C., to address the High Council on his behalf.