Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-26
APPEAL TO SALVATIONISTS
Colonel Nicoll Send Sends Out a Circular
Letter to All Detachmsnts.
EXPECTS THEM TO R;MNN FAITHFUL

| breach Between the Uritish and
American Factions slowly Widen
Ing nnd Open Rupture Likely
| TO lie Declared soon.
NEW YORK, Feb 25--tt is thought
by several members OF the army who
| were willing to express an opn-
ion that Ballington and Mrs. Booth were
out Of the Salvation army for good, but that
they would soon be a. work. with many Of
the present army officers aud privates, In
organizing new army. with the help of
prominent Christian workers of this city.
In a circular letter. dated February %, signed
by Colonel Nicoll, which was mailed to Of
ftcers throughout the country tonight 1t is
said Commander and Mrs. Booth had sent
IN a letter of resignation to the general as
far back January 81 A prominent stan
officer stated tonight that Commander Bal
lington Booth had had continually in mind
aud heart his duty to the American people;
that he had felt all along during the nine
years of his residence here that the strict
military rules of his father would not work
successfully in the United States, and that
he had been successful because he had made
the people love him. The same authority
said that $4,000 year had been contrib
uted by the United States branch to assist
the English braLch.
Following is the appeal issued by Colonel
Nicol of the Salvation army now being sent
out through the country by mail and wire to
officers and soldiers:
ut is with great anguish and deep sense
OF the consequences involved that | have to
confirm the telegram regarding the lament
able and deplorabe resignation of your COM
manders. Their designations were sent in
letter dated as far back as January 81
"The reasons given for their unexpected
action are alleged personal differences OF
some months standing with our beloved gem
eral and what will, l believe. occasion your
intense surprise. lack of confidence in our
international system Of administration.
WAS A SURPRISE.
CAS- you will readily imagine this letter of
resignation came upon our leaders as bolt
from blue sky. The chief Of staff. Mr..
Bramweli Booth, to whom the letter mad to
be sent, owing to the generals absence in
India was amazed beyond measure, and the
other members of the generals family within
reach were crushed with indescribabe sor-
row. That such a step should be taken by
any territorial commander must be great
giief. but the sorrow in this case is intensi |
fled hundredfold by the fact that your com
mander Is one of the generals own children |
and an officer whose long devotion to the war |
and pledges of undying and unf1nching fdel- |
ity to our glorious flag had given him more |
brother officers in all parts Of the world.
whatever may be the final issue of this |
terrible step, am glad to be in position |
in the midst of this dark hour to inform you |
that international headquarters acted on the |
first indication Of the commanders intention |
with rare consideration, love and sacrifice.
special representative Of international |
headquarters was dispatched at a few hours
notice to New York to confer with your COM
mander upon the whole situation and to pre-
oil tn Ianc fatt In-
fore finally persisting in his course. His
brother Commandant Herbert Booth, was
also urged and ordered to bring the pressure
Of filial regard to bear upon the commander
as we'll as to endeavor to throw light upon
his difficulties. His sister, Field Commits
sioner Eva Booth. who was in the midst of
her London farewell and the arrangements
for the generals return, was likewise or
dered to New York with the Godspeed and
prayers of the international headquarters.
For days and nights these three medators
employed every possible argument, appeal
and entreaty to beseech the commanders to
return to England. Their efforts were ably
by long cablegrams from the gen.
eral and correspondence from the interna-
tional headquarters. But, to our great and
irreparable sorrow. they failed, and the COM
manders retired last Friday morning from
the direction of affairs.
WILL BE INVESTIGATED.
GAS neither the commandant nor the field
to accept your commanders resignation we
At once disowned responsibility for the COM
manders step communicated the facts to in
ternational headquarters and threw ourselves
with the overwhelming burden created by
The sad event upon the never failing strong
hold OF our glorious army-the presence and
ho promise Of help Of Jehovah.
1T is needless for me to tell you, dear
that the whole circumstances will
It once become the subject of investigation
thn AF int laval hood I,t,ar |
rhe action Of the commanders, as well as
,ur own. will be brought before the general. |
md am authorized to state that his verdict
ipon the circumstances will be communi-
,ated to you in due course +
zone word more. The general-and in | :
Iced, the whole army-reiies upon you in I
his hour of trial. and | am sure the future
will show that among all the countries OF
he globe there are no more faithful, devoted ,
eliable or loyal officers and soldiers than
hose who have carried the stars and stripes
nto the very van of the armys worldwide {
,attle for God.
yours in bonds Of sorrow, and yet faith ,
md confidence, !
ALEXANDER NJ. NICoLL,"
Colonel and Generals Representative" I
The Press this morning prints the follow
ng: "R C. Alexander attorney for Bal !
ington Booth, commander of the Saliva
ion army in the United States, declared
esterday that his client would not turn over
he American property of the army to Booth r
'ucker the new chief now coming from
.ondon to take charge of the American I
rmy. Mr.. Alexander said further that
r. Booth might proceed to reorganize the
rmy on an independent and distinctly Ameri- '
an basis. 1.-The Salvation army is not r
rganized as corporation" sad Mr.. Alex
nder, "and cannot hold property In its own
ame. Nor can foreigner hold real es-
ate in this country unless he has declared
is intention to become a citizen, and so
he army property-all the real estate prop
rty, at any rate has been acquired in his 7
ame. Legally, he is the absolute owner
property valued at more than 100000 I
here are no restricting clauses about hold
lg in trust or as trustee in any of the title \
eeds The War Cry belongs to him also.
Ie may do with it exactly as he pleases. q
aithar his father nor any one else has