ASKED TO RESIGN

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 560, 12 January 1929, Page 7

ASKED TO RESIGN

Commissioner Hay Puts Request to the Salvation Army Leader BOOTH POSTPONES REPLY IT Mas Commissioner James Hay, of New Zealand, who put * t 0 General Bramwell Booth the Salvation Armv High Councils request that he should resign. I lie general, who may he pondering a counter-stroke, m lma^e d that he would give his answer on Monday. (United. P.A. — Bj/ Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian ai+l X. Z. Press Association) (United Service)

Reed. 9.10 a.m. LONDON, Friday. u® P^t!^ ioll lrom the Salvation Aimy High Council arrived at General Booths house in two imposing limousines. It was received by a J n ® m . be 1 I * of tlle household staff, and left half an hour later. It made no statement. Subsequently one of General Booth’s daughters made the announcement that the general’s condition had not permitted a reception, and the delegates would return later. , The deputation, returned at one p’clock, and entered the sick room. shook hands, and expressed greetings, and hopes of the general’s recovery. Commissioner James Hay (New Zealand) then intimated the council’s roquest that the gqneral would resign. General Booth is reported to have intimated that he would give his answer on Monday. There was an eleventh-hour surprise when the general’s sister, Eva, hurriedly arrived by motor-car to join the deputation, though she had previously not visited her brother. Commander Eva Booth did not see her brother, in view of the general’s illness. “I thought it wiser that the commander should come another day,” said Brigadier Smith, who is in charge of General Booth. He considered it inadvisable that she should see her brother on the game day as the deputation. “TOQK IT CALMLY” ‘‘Surely enough, to bring such an ultimatum to a man in such a condition scarcely gives a chance of recovery,” he remarked. “However, the general took the situation most calmly, and prayed for the deputation. “When it arrived, he listened attentively. “Later he turned to Commissioner Cunningham, who has charge of the new training garrison at Denmark Hill, and said, ‘Hay will doubtless think you have taken a page out of the book of Melbourne and Sydney.’ ” Brigadier Smith added that the

general will come back with a new inspiration. The deputation included Commissioners J. Cunningham, European secretary, Mitchell (Sweden), Brengle (United States), Lieut.-Commissioner Yamimuro (Japan), and Colonel Mrs. Trounce (India). There was an impressive silence in the council on the previous day while 56 officers walked up and signed the historic document asking the general to resign. Seven officers abstained. Mrs. Booth motored to Southwold immediately the decision was made to convey the news to her husband. General Booth, when asked to comment on the decision, which was conveyed to him by a special courier, replied: “I am very grateful, but at present have no reply to make.” “PROPAGANDA” It was learned last night that Genemi Booth’s letter to the council was sent to the Army’s paper, the “War Cry,” yesterday week, which had actu- . ally printed 20,000 copies before the members of the High Council were cognisant of it. The council stopped publication, and ordered the copies a<eady printed to . be burned at the Army’s printing works at St. Albans. The High Council took , the view that the letter was a piece of propaganda, written with the idea * of influencing their decision, as well . as the opinion of the rank and file. The unanimity of the council’s decision suggests that if General Booth 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, a well known King’s Coun- | sel, to address the High Council on his behalf. An official of the Salvation Army told the “Daily Chronicle” that a rough canvass of Sunbury Court revealed that it was most unlikely that the * General would receive more than 10 or ’ 12 supporters out of 63. He requires \ only 16 votes to defeat the Council’s ■ resolution. > TEARS IN HER EYES DISAPPOINTED SISTER ; - 1 (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) Reed. 12.16 a.m. LONDON, Friday. Commander Eva Booth motored the distance to Southwold, 110 miles, in a little over three hours. When she left the house there were tears in her eyes. Asked whether she had seen her ; brother, she replied with emotion, pointing to the house, “Ask the man in the hall.” The “Daily Herald” understands on . good authority that General Booth intends to fight to the last ditch the atl tempts at his deposition. If the High Council acts, he will take the matter to the courts. This is the gist of the decision the general is determined to convey on Monday. ; Commander Eva Booth is not seek- » mg power, but is working for more i democratic control of the Army. Over ; a year ago she appealed to her brother voluntarily to takS the step now 1 being enforced by the High Council.