Army’s Day of Crisis

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 562, 15 January 1929, Page 9

Army’s Day of Crisis

BATTLE FOR LEADERSHIP Booth’s Reply Before Council QUESTION MAY GO TO COURTS TO-DAY is a day of great crisis in the Salvation Army, for by this time the High Council will have before it General Bramwell Booth’s reply to the Council’s request that he give up the leadership. On the one hand it is said that he flatly refuses to retire * on the other, that he declares he has no power to do so. The question may in the end be decided in the courts. (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright V (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) (United Service)

Reed. 9.5 a.m. LONDON, Monday. General Bramwell Booth’s reply to the Salvation Army High Council’s request that he resign, was completed last night. “It is not a refusal to retire,” says the “Daily Mail,” “but a declaration that he has no power to do so.” The “Daily News” says it is a flat refusal to , retire. I-n the meanwhile, dramatic developments are promised when the High Council resumes tomorrow, as a result of doubts as to the legality of the Council's decision to ask the General to retire. The “Daily Mail” says: “According to the Army’s deed poll, the Council only possesses power to depose the General on the ground of unfitness to continue in leadership.” A Salvationist official told the “Mail” that the General has not power to retire. If he does, it is highly probable that he will be acting illegally. This fact will be brought to the Council’s notice, probably forcing reconsideration of the position afresh. The Council may refuse, whereupon the matter may be decided in the courts. It is learned that General Booth’s reply was taken to Sunbury Court by Commissioner James Hay (New Zealand). Two King’s counsellors, whose opinion was taken before the summoning of the council, reaffirmed the opinion that the council is acting entirely constitutionally. It is expected that the resumed debate to-mororw will extend two or three days. It is stated that the Council thus far has excluded General Booth’s legal adviser, and also refused his request for a shorthand report of the proceedings. Commissioner Hay. asked to reply to this, issued an official statement: “The Council has not debated the question whether the General should legally be represented.” In regard to the shorthand report, the president had no comment to make LIKELY CANDIDATES The “Daily Herald” understands that despite General Booth’s refusal to resign, which will be accompanied by an impassioned appeal for reconciliation, the High Council will proceed to depose him and appoint a successor. The /nost favoured candidates are Commissioner Eva Booth and Commissioner Hurren, an ardent reformist Other names to be freely mentioned as po: I ble successors to General Booth are those of Commissioner James Hay, of New Zealand, whose presidency of the High Council has won him great credit; Commissioner David C. Lamb, International Social Secretary and Director of Emigration; Commissioner E. J. Higgins, Chief of Staff; and Commander Evangeline Booth, sister of the General. A British Official Wireless message says it is stated that when btaff-Cap-tain Dr. Hart arrived at General Booth’s residence at Southwold, lie endeavoured to arrange a compromise.. Dr. Hart said his plan was to promote the general to the rank of field-mar-shal. It is thought that Dr. -Hart may induce the general to modify any attitude of flat refusal to retire. Mrs. Booth, the general's -wife, who will convey tile general’s reply to the

High Council, has delayed her departure from Southwold, it is believed, as a result of Dr. Hart’s efforts. A great number of cablegrams and other communications from Canada, New Zealand, the United States and elsewhere were received at Southwold during the week-end, promising General Booth support. “Stick to your guns,” says one message. “We are with you to the end,” reads another. Lieutenant-Colonel Muirhead has sent a letter to the members of the High Council, in which he says: “British justice demands that even a criminal shall have a fair trial. Shall we be less just to our own General?” The “Daily Mail” says thousands of the members of the Salvation Army are indignant with the High Council for keeping them in ignorance of events until the disclosure of the General’s letter forced publicity. A woman officer stationed in the East End of London complains that the rank and file of the Army are forced to bear the ignominy of the dispute. They are dreading “self-denial week,” which is to commence on February 23, when they must appeal to the public. They dare not express their view's because they would be suspended and lose their means of livelihood. BIRTH OF DISCONTENT Mr. F. A. Mackenzie, a London journalist and author, has written an article on the Salvation Army in the “Daily News.” He reveals the fact that the reform movement in the organisation was begun two years ago when Colonel Carpenter, then a prominent official at headquarters in London, thought it his duty respectfully to tell General Bramwell Booth that his quick promotion of his own children was causing dissatisfaction. General Booth immediately relegated Colonel Carpenter to a minor post in Melbourne, which he had held 22 years previously. He never - saw him again, but many commissioners and officials signed an album paying a tribute to and sympathising with the disrated officer. This devotion to Colonel Carpenter crystallised in the vague discontent from which the present movement has grown.