New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-23

The dismissal Of Commander BallinEton Boom
and Mrs. Booth from the command Of the Saliva
ton Army in this country under circumstances
that will seem harsh and prccipitaie to many
will strain TO the utmost The loyalty OF The
American Army Even if it does not result in
the establishment of IN independent American
Salvation Army, it Will seriously weaken the
organization in its work al leas; for time, and
ALLEVIATE from it the sympathy and support OF
many outside of il. who will conclude whether
rightly or wrongly. that Ballinglon Boolh ana
his devoted wife have been made the victims or
petty jealousy and persecution. Such result,
whoever may he responsible for il, VIII be noun
ing less than Il public misfortune; for under the
wise leadership Of Mr.. and Mrs. Boom 'ic
strength and efficiency of the Army IN TINS 'ouh-
try have been enormously increased Nheh inc!
took command they found ii small IN NUMBERS
poorly disciplined. badly manned. ana popui'rN
regarded as a vulgar, ridiculous and un-Am':lc'h
movement But to-day it is one OF the greatest
uplifting forces in the country. 1t has Deeh 'hor-
oughy AmercaniZed-too much SO To please 'lic
London Headquarters If Ill reports are true !"
its methods and aims 1t has "c' nSel 10 S"NliS
mems bodies as well as their souls, and Its ANN
dant success in doing this has earned Tor II 'ic
cordial sympathy and goodwill of CHRISTIANS oil
all names who were formerly wont TO LOOK Oh
the Army with suspicion or dislike.
In the face of this record Of success came 'hc
order from General Booth. last January. rcllcV-
ing RsIington Booth and his wife from their
command The hardship Of ii was noted 1T the
time in these columns. But it seemed 10 us mat
as loval members of military organization. NE
ONLY thing for them 10 do WAS 10 obey the ORDER
for without discipline and obedience the Army
voud mt once fall to pieces. MI and Mrs Booth
themselves took the same view OF the matter
and not even the great mass-mcctins of ciiiH"AS
held in Carnegie Hall to urge upon General booth
n reconsideration of his order caused them To
s,vorvc from their course of loyal obedience.
There would however, appear to be influences
NJ work in the case the nature of which the pub
lie can as yet only guess N. 1t was understood
all around that the Booths would farewell
some time in April and they were preparing SO
to do when three representatives from the Inter
national Headquarters in London Unexpectedly
appearel this last week and pHcmptoriY or
dcred Mr. and Mrs. Booth to hand over their
KEYS and Offices and report at once TO General
Rootb in London. 1t is not clear from the varl-
ous reports lust what occurred at the conference
between the London representatives. and Balling-
l
that the latter dcmurrcd to such a transfer OF
the Salvation Army property in this country
now held in their name. as wonla allow 1t I" be
! diverted to the uses Of the English Army. II 5
also minated that the desire of Herbert Booth,
| Ballington's brother. TO succeed him as Com
| mander was IL potent factor in the case, ana That
! the relations Of the two brothers are now much
| strained Back Of this are hints OF a conspiracy
against the Booths in their own headquarters III
this city. the participants in which succeeded in
setting General Booth against the methods OF
the American Army. Members of the Army even
tell stories indicating the dissatisfaction Of the
! old General when he was in this country Few
months ago Those who are inclined 10 attach
/ Importance to all these rumors Of Internal dis
scnslon will have 10 difficulty in explaining the
whole incident, al least to their own satisfaction
They will say that 1.-The old man" is martinez
who cannot endure to any one in the Army
but himself stand in the centre of the stage; that
he has been grumpy for some time over the
popularlfy of Balngton Booth and Mrs. Booth,
as well as the AUGMENTATION Of the Amy, and
for that reason decided 10 recall them. But even
this did not satisfy certain ambitious enemies of
the American Commander. They determined TO
deprive him of the mOurnful pleasure OF saying
a formal good-by to the Army next April, ana
perhaps also hoped to goad him and his wife
into some word or act that would expose them
TO a charge Of insubordination Hence the sud-
den visit Of the London representatives, this last
week and their harsh order.
We do not say that there is any basis or truth
in this explanation Of the case, though 1t VIII be
accepted by Il multitude Of persons both inside
and outside the Army. But one thing at least
is certain: Mr.. and Mrs Booth have not only
ceased to have any connection with the Saliva
ton Army in this country. but for reasons salts
factory to themselves they have refused 10 take
any other command and technically therefore,
are no longer in good standing in the Army. And
this whatever else may or may not be true, Is
n sufficient cause for deep regret.