Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-14
HIGGINS REPLACES GEN. BOOTH.
BUSTED BY HIGH COUNCIL VOTE
Army'S Immediate Future Ap-
parentIy Hinges on De-
posed Chief.
Possible Secession of Ameri-
can Branch Seen in Rumors,
Despite DeniaIs.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated RreSS.
| LONDON, February 1.-THE Saliva
! ton Army had a new commander-in-
chief today-itS former commissioner
| Edward j. Higgins of England. The i'm
mediate future of the Army, however,
seemed to depend upon the actions of
its deposed head Gen. Bramwell Booth.
Higgins was chosen at secret session
of its high council last night, receiving
az votes against II for Commissioner
| Evangeline Booth. sister of Gen. Booth.
| The action followed adjudication earlier
in the day of Gen. Booth as unfit, be-
cause of his health to continue at his
post.
Several developments appeared pos
sible today, any one of which would dis
turb peaceful assumption of Office by
Gen. Higgins and would prevent the
Armys entering quietly into life under
the new regime.
Gen. Booth already has taken his
adjudication as unfit once to the courts
of England and there is nothing to in
dictate he will not do SO again. Some
London newspapers this morning state
positively he will continue his chancery
court action challenging the validity OF
the deed poll of 1904, under which the
high council functioned.
Elsewhere, it was unoficially stated
that he would refuse. the new Army
head custody of Army property and
money which remains In his charge as
trustee. A court order to compel him
to give in here might be sought In such
an eventuality.
Higgins Arms for Defense.
Anonymous denials that the American
branch of the Army will secede and
break away from the English control
failed to quiet rumors that that is in
prospect. In these rumors particular
attention Is paid to the fact that the
high council passed by Commissioner
Evangeline Booth, sister OF the general,
in its selection of a new commander
ln-chief. Evangeline Booth, who is In
charge of the movement In America.
was active in the reform movement to
GUST her brother, and some had freely
predicted her choice as the new Army
chief.
Whatever challenge the situation sug-
gested seemed to have been accepted by
Gen. Higgins in q statement after his
election. He replied to questions as to
whether he expected further legal dtf-
ficulties.
"It certainly will be my duty to pro-
tect the trust imposed upon me. II the
deep poll of 1904 is attacked must de-
fend 1t, although / have no idea such a
fight Is coming.
"The Armys future policy will be to
maintain its vigor and to follow the
banner unfurled by its founder with
increased life and spirit and to reach
the masses not touched by the church
all over the world.
Regarding reform can say little at
present. was elected without any con-
ditions other than those imposed by
the 1878 and 1904 deed polls"
No statement was to be obtained to-
day from members Of the Booth house
hold. At Sunbury, after deposition of
the general, Commissioner Catherine
Booth and Col Mary Booth, daughters
Of Bramwell, were seen to leave the
council hail. hatlesS, and with their
cloaks thrown about their shoulders.
They walked down the dark drive
from Sunhury Court clinging arm in
arm In silence. A reporter who recog-
nized them asked for statement.
Daughter Answers Sadly.
"what can I say?a Catherine asked.
And then sadly. Gen. Booth has gone"
Past duties of Gen. Higgins gave him
broad preparation for his new post. He
was Cen Booths chief lieutenant for
the last decade. He entered the Army
under the tutelage Of his father. the