SALTATION ARMY DISCONTENT

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7301, 3 December 1910, Page 2

SALTATION ARMY DISCONTENT

FBOM OTJB SPECIAL COEBEBPONDENT. ■ LONDON, ’October 21. „• The recent, resignation of several old and well-known staff officers: of . the Salvation Army has been the: : subject of, a ■ good deal of public comment, and has caused not a little .anxiety among the rank and file of Salvationists and among the friends of the Army. V»o w£nt to -know the'true reason why* old and esteemed officers , like Commissioner 'Coombs, Commissioner Sowlon, .Colonels Moss, Howell and Southall, Brigadier Morris, l Majors Morris and Patterson, and Staff-Captain Williams : have left, or are leaving -tile. Army, but " headquarters ’’ prefers:to-keep silence on the subject. * . This adherence to the old custom of remaining - dumb I ‘when,, maligned by enemies or deserted by. friends does the Army. no good' and. is no longer acceptable to many officers and members, nor to. the outside friends of the., dry ganisation. It gives colour to the adverse reports concerning - the Army now in circulation, and point® to the caustic criticisms of the Army's methods indulged in by “John Bull." That journal has attacked the Army week after week, making allegations of a very serious nature, but apparently : neither , General Booth nor Mr Bramwcll Booth deem it worth their while either to refute the charges malt or to take any action against the persons responsible for their publication. This silence on. matters affecting the credit of the Army is not commendable. It is not a private concern, and it is dependent to a very large extent upon the goodwill and pecuniary assistance of the general public for the maintenance of its many charities. Unless the “General" speedily takes the world into his confidence upon the matter of the recent resignations, .and takes steps to put an end to the circulation of the many adverse stories now current against the Army, he will find many systematic contributors to tike funds of the organisation diverting their money into otuer channels. The reported withdrawal of an officer of Gomiu'.Siioner Coombs’ long experience and ability has naturally made people interested in the Army very anxious to know, the reason why, after thirty-four years’ service, he snould desire to sever his connection with the organisation. General Booth has more than once signalled out this officer* lor his genius in conducting large and d.fficult undertakings. No name is bettor known throughout the ranks of the Army in ail parts* of the world, and many people feel that the heads of an organisation that lets a, man of Ms caliore leave its ranks and dots not acquaint its followers watn the came Are not acting "lairly to warns tne, memoers of tne Army, nor to their good friends outside.

The heEu-igaa. ters policy of secrecy is undoubtedly opposed to the best interests of the Army, and is responsible for much of _ the discontent that. without doubt exists at present among the rank and file.- .. -t-