ARMY LEADERSHIP

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20643, 15 February 1929, Page 9

ARMY LEADERSHIP

THE GENERAL SUPERSEDED. COUNCIL ELECTS SUCCESSOR. COMMISSIONER HIGGINS. (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, February 13. Before the Grand Council, Mr Jowitt, K.C., made a two-hour speech, combining legal argument with impassioned pleading. He read a letter from the general offering a fresh compromise, which would allow the council to choose his successor if he retained the command in a slightly modified form. Mr Jowitt’ urged the council not to dismiss a man who had been ill nigh to death. Many listeners were moved to tears. General Booth’s doctor, two eminent physicians, and also two friends, including Mr Pollard, the Army’s ex-Chancel-lor, gave evidence that General Booth should he physically fit to resume duty in a month or two. The vote resulted in five for General Booth and 52 against. Four abstained from voting. The High Council elected Commissioner Higgins to the leadership. He has been chief of staff since 1919.

The voting was:— Commissioner Higgins .. 43 Commander Eva Booth .. 17

APPEAL BY THE GENERAL,

“LET US WORK TOGETHER.”

LONDON, February 13, % (Received Feb. 14, at 5.5 p.m.)

Four High Councillors did not vote. The council immediately proceeded 'to the election of the general’s successor, and chose Commissioner Higgins by the requisite majority. The Daily Express understands that General Booth will defy the decision. The outgoing finances are still under his personal control, and he feels it his duty to retain command.

An immediate application to the courts is being considered by General Booth’s lawyers. A letter read by Mr Jowitt stated: “ The Army is facing a period fraught with the gravest dangers, and you and I must work for the Army’s sake, forgetting, if need be, individual hopes and aims. Couldn’t we find a way? I’ve tried to meet you with previous proposals, and I am ready to consider any from the council.' Surely, after a lifetime’s work for the same ends, we ought to be able to find a better way than separation. Newly-raised doubts as to the validity and interpretation of the supplementary deed fill me with anxiety, and with God restoring my health I feel strongly that I ought not to be denied an opportunity of reshaping the deed. I have more right than any of you, by experience and knowledge, to act in the matter. If we work together all may yet be well, but if I am deprived of my place as leader the position is so complicated that loss and confusion must follow. If the improvement in my health does not justify expectations I shall, of course, retire, but I should have time for the recovery which is confidently expected.”—Australian Press Association.

THE NEW LEADER.

NEW ZEALAND SALVATIONISTS PLEASED,

(Per United Press Assocu"ion.) WELLINGTON, February 14,

The Salvation Army in New Zealand is very pleased with Commissioner Higgins’s appointment to the supreme command.

“ We have every confidence in the decision the High Council has come to,” said Colonel D. A. Gunn, officer temporarily, in charge of the Salvation Forces in the Dominion to-night. . “ Commissioner Higgins is the right man for the position.”

Colonel Gunn added in regard to the deposed leader: “ I can say that General Bramwell Booth has the undying affection and esteem of the whole Army here. We know he has,not been responsible for the fight that has been going on. All the opposition td his retirement has come from the family. We have had inside knowledge that for a long time General Booth has been total!- unfit to carry on—that he was totally unequal to the signing of documents. We know that he, was badly advised. He ought to have retired. We'have not been antagonistic to the old general, and. he will always have our confidence and affection. There will be a great tribute paid to him, although his retirement was resisted by the family."

“A STRONG, JUST MAN.”

NEW LEADER’S CAREER,

LONDON, February 14. (Received Feb. 14, at 11.40 p.m.) “A strong, just man,” is how his friends describe Edward John Higgins, who has been chief of staff -since 1910. The new leader, who is 64 years .of age, joined the Army in 1882, giving up a prosperous business. ,He was appointed chief secretary for America in 1896, serving under Commander Eva Booth until 1905, when he returned to London as assistant foreign secretary, later becoming commissioner. His wife was a salvation officer at the age of 17, and four of their children are also officers. —United Service. '

A POPULAR APPOINTMENT.

COUNCIL CHEERS WILDLY.

LONDON, February 14. (Received Feb.-14, at 11 p.m.)

The Army Council cheered wildly after Commissioner Higgins’s election. When interviewed, he said that he was elected without conditions, except those imposed in the foundation deed of IS7B and the supplementary deed poll of 1004. If the latter’s validity was attacked it must be defended. He did not know if General Booth would accept the council’s decision, but he did not anticipate a legal move. General Booth would retain his title, but “ Retired ” would be written after his name. “We do not want to take away any of the honours belonging to him,” said the new leader. —Australian Press Association.