The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-02-25
DARLINGTON BOOTH BOUNCED.
HIS WIFE ALSO RETIRES FROM
THE SALVATION ARMY.

of the Psalm Singing WarriOrs-A
Long Conference Held at the
Army's Headquarters In Four
teenth Street.-The Dismissed Com
mandcr Refuses 10 Go to England
TO stand COurt-MnrtiaI Except on
His own Conditions.
New York, Feb. 24-Ballington Booth
and his wife have retired from the COM
mand Of the Salvation army in America.
Eva Booth has been placed in command
temporarily. such instructions were ca
bled to her to-day from the London head
quarters.
Mr.. and Mrs. Booth accepted their dis
missal very quietly. They were asked IL
they would so to England or remain in
America.
I'VE viii remain here" said the ex-
commander. 1--WE are American citizens.
Our children are Americans, and we 90
not intend TO go TO England
OnQuestionaOiy, a decided anti-EngIish
feeling has strongly manifested Itself IN
the ranks OF the salvation Army IN this
city. Taken all IN all the end looks ON
inous for the American army. The ques-
ton was put TO Ballins ton Booth this
evening, II his decision OF to-day TO ac-
cept the situation and retire from the army
was final. The ex-commander paused
moment and then said: well. that is my
decision to-day. 1 cont know what il
will be my decision tomorrow"
1t is claimed by many SalVationists that
If the commissioned officers of the army IN
America should decide To rebel against
English domination and summon TO lead
an American Salvation Army, BallingtOn
Booth and his wife, they will willingly re-
spond.
Col. Alexander NJ. Nicol. who is leading
the fight against the BaIlington Booths,
and who is specially in temporary COM
mand of the army in this country, was
seen this evening. He said: Commits
sioner Eva Booth met the officers in coun-
ell this evening with myself and made
statement upon the present difficulties.
She afterward met privately the leading
field and STAFF officers and received as
surances of answering loyalty to the flag
of one world-the flag Of the salvation
Army.
''Ail likelihood of a split is over. There
will, no doubt, be a great fight between
both sides for some time to come. but
Miss Eva Booth and her leaders are con-
fident Of an ultimately glorious victory"
Continuing Mr.. Nicol said: In making
this change, il is farthest from our minds
to make the opportunity for Anglicizing
the American army We are lnterna-
tional; we adapt ourselves to every coun-
try. We discarded trousers In India and
fy the stars and stripes i'm America. We
adapt ourselves to John Bull in England,
and Uncle Sam in America. We are one
army for the rescue of the whole world.
To-day was lively day at the head
quarters of the army IN Fourteenth street.
From 10 O'Clock in the morning until late
in the afternoon a heated conference was
held in the auditorium. The most promi-
nent staff officers in America We're pres
ent.
After the commissioners from abroad
had stated their side of the case. Mr..
and Mrs. Booth were sent for to give their
statement. Mr.. Booth spoke for an hour,
and his wife occupied the same length OF
time Newspaper men were excluded, and
what transpired could not be learned.
At o'clock this evening, ex-Commander
Booth called the reporters into his wife S
former Office and made the following
statement: THE session to-day was com
posed of the most prominent staff officers
on the American field, therefore, most eff
sentative. Some 1900 adherents were
represented. 1t was a gathering not OF
my calling together, but one convened by
the staff, to which Mrs. Booth and myself
version of the case after the same stan
had heard the field commissioner, Eve
Booth, and Col. Niools' side of the case,
Il emphatically denied the statement
that l was not dismissed, in proof OF
which / gave the following:
First Col. Nicol told Mrs. Booth anC
myself to prepare for the worst aftel
having met Eva Booth on her arrival.
Second. Commandant Herbert Bootf
stated that he was empowered to ask Mrs
Booth and myself for our keys, portfolios
ant. l must have your authority from the
chief of London for that lie replied
You can have that before II o'clock.
This was last Thursday.
"Third-He asked two things. One was
whether l would go TO London. replied
NO, except on our conditions First
that three brigadiers from America be
present at all interviews in London; sec
ond, that Col. Eadie be at once Withdrawn
to England; third, that Commandant
Herbert go back to London and remain
there during my absence and not return
under any circumstances or pretext what
ever until my return to the United States
fourth, that Col. Nlcol. the generals rep
resentatiVe, remain here and assist in
commanding; fifth, that Commissioned
Eva return to London with me; sixth
that no one else be sent here in my abb
sence until / returned; seventh, to re-
turn a week after my arrival in England
eighth, that Mrs. Ballington Booth remain
at the military helm of the warship In
the United States during my absence
THE third and fourth conditions of my
request, were refused They said | mus
appear before court of inquiry in Lon
don. To go before a court of inquiry
means court martial. l have nothing &c
be count martialed for.
Then came the painful episode of Her
bert Booth demanding my keys was
then served with brief from London
which empowered my removal We were
dismissed. They were empowered tC
"Since to-day's session Mrs Booth and
myself have been waited upon and ques
toned as to our plans. We propose ft
quietly retire We accept our dismissal
ty in our possession. We will first, how
ever, consult lawyers and some of the
leading citizens In the United States"
Mr. and Mrs. Booth shook hands will
the reporters bade them farewell anC
drove away from the building in a cab
The following dispatch was posted a
army headquarters this afternoon:
Toronto, Feb. "A, p. m.-Col. Nicol
! West Fourteenth street: Elucidate to of
| ficers and post on bulletin board SenC
fSGSomraI1es. The press has been misIn
| formed concerning my visit to New York
| Have done my duty, with prayers ant
| tears, as a brother to prevent a breacl
| in the family hitherto unbroken, and pre-
served from an irreparable calamity 4
| brother can do no other than leave tn,
| consequences with God and time. Yol
! have my truest sympathy in this hour o
| trial You may be relied upon, / know, 4
maintain the world wide union of tn,
| Salvation Army, which is as dear to Amer
| lean Salvationists almost as is the unioI
of their beloved land.
Signed) Herbert Booth"
Later the following was also posted
1.-The general has cabled Field Commits
sioner Eva Booth, appointing her to tn,
temporary command of the Salvation
Army force in the United States, and thi.
notice is to say that all other officers will
from this date till the arrival of the new