SALVATION ARMY

Hokitika Guardian, 18 January 1929, Page 6

SALVATION ARMY

GENERAL BOOTH DEPOSED. HIGH COUNCIL’S DECISION. (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) LONDON, Jan. IC. The High Council, on resumption today, found involved legal difficulties, making it necessary to refer several points to a sub-committee appointed to deal with legal questions. The Army’s solicitor had frequently to be consulted. Progress was consequently slow, and nothing was decided when the Council adjourned. Jt is also understood that the proceedings became very heated concerning the fundamental point—General Booth’s mental fitness. The deputation privately reported that he was mentally unstable. Such a serious position has been reached that there is more than a possibility oj litigation in the High Court. 'The Council may adjourn some time lor consultations, prayer, and meditation. Two Councillors have taken ill. General Booth is so impressed by the efficiency of ray-Lheraupy in the King’s illness that he has arranged Lo undergo similar treatment. LONDON, Jan. 17. After a six days’ relief conference, tin; High Council of sixty-three gathered from all over the world, reached a climax at an early hour this morning, with the momentous ballot of the delegates who had been sitting almost continuously since yesterday afternoon. Snow was falling when the Council was due to meet, hut soon sunshine, the first, since it assembled, flooded the Chamber. Progress was slow.; Lunch time came, and a brief statement was issued. Tt mentioned the hymn. “He beared!) Me,” recital of the Lord’s Prayer and Forty-eighth P.snlin. then the afternoon was resumed. Tile Council adjourned lor dinner at 7.45, and re-assembled for the purpose of the secret ballot, the delegates voting on paper. The result reached the newspapers after the first editions had gone to press. As soon as the figures were known, sin officer hurried to a villa nearby, the headquarters of the Booth family, and informed Colonel Bernard Booth, who was waiting at the telephone, who sent a message to his father at Southwold. The Council then adjourned until Friday morning, when the appointment of a successor to General Booth will lie discussed. Although the decision did not surprise the delegates, several who were personal friends of the General showed signs of emotion. Sim bury Court, which . for many hours had been hidden in the darkness of night, became the scene of great animation. Soon a stream of cars was speeding members from the grounds to various parts of the country. The news shocked the family, who maintained' till the last, the idea that the General might be retained in supreme command. It is learned that there were impressive scenes in the Council Chainin' after the ballot, when the gathering rose and sang four lines of the hymn, “Oil when we cannot see our way, let us trust and still obey. He that bids us forward go cannot fail the way t<> show.'-' RESULT OF BALLOT. LONDON, Jan. 17. The High Army Council ballot, by 55 votes to eight, adjudicated General Booth unfit to continue in supreme command. L\ ACCORDANCE WITH CONSTITUTION'. LONDON, Jan. 17. An official statement of the Army Council slates that the vote was a complete vindication of the seven coin, liiissioners who requested the calling of the High Council. “Their action was absoluely unprecedented, but under the circumstances with which they were confronted, they felt there was no alternative. Xeverheless they have been subjected to considerable abuse from uninformed quarters, where their action was very unfairly criticised and misrepresented, although they are all old and tried officers, with an average of forty-four years’ service.” % The statement stresses that the seven were guided by independent legal advice, and their ensuring actions were entirely In accord with the deeds of the constitution, signed by the founder, on the terms of which the present General accepted office. The statement concludes; An examination of the voting for adjudication reveals that the seven were justified in their action by support of every territorial commander, with the exception of the General’s daughter, Colonel Mary Booth. GENERAL BOOTH. ADJUDICATED UNFIT. LONDON, January 17. The High Council which adjudicated General Booth unfit to continue the supreme command by 55 to 8, will consider a successor on Friday.