“GENERAL EVA”

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 34, 10 February 1939, Page 3

“GENERAL EVA”

OF SALVATION ARMY TO RETIRE THIS YEAR QUESTION OF SUCCESSOR LONDON, Jan. 10. General Evangeline Booth, 73 years old and head of Jhc Salvation Army throughout the world since 1934, will retire on October 31. She was 73 on Christmas Day, and, according to Army rules, should have then relinquished office. But “because of unsettled international conditions” —making the summoning of the Higz: Council to choose a successor unusually difficult—General Eva was granted an extension of office. She has been responsible for the religious guidance of the movemem. all over the world since she was elected to the generalship in September, 1934. Previously she had worked for the “Army” in England, Canada, and Newfoundland.

For 30 years, starting in 1904, General E t va was National Commander in the United States—where she acquired the slight American inflections in her speech. She describes herself as orator, musician, poet, composer, and her recreations as riding, swimming, ano diving. Her four years as head of the movement have included evangelical missions to India, Australia, and the United States, and a 1000-miles-in-a--week tour of Great Britain. To elect her successor, the High

Council, with delegates from all parts of the world, will meet in August. Commissioner John MacMillan, chief of staff and second in command is regarded as the most probable. Aged 64, a native of Glasgow and with 50 years' service, he was appointed to his present post in April, and is one of the best preachers in the "Army.” He was nominated for the generalship when the High Council met to choose a successor to General Higgins, but withdrew his name.