The record-union., 1896-02-25

NEW YORK, Feb. 24.-Ballington
Booth and his wife have retired from
the command of the Salvation Army IN
America. Eva Booth has been placed
in command temporarily. such IN
structions were cabled here to-day from
the London headquarters. Mr.. and Mrs
Booth accepted their dismissal very
Quietly. They were asked if they would
20 to England or remain in America.
1--WE will remain here" said the eX-
commander. I'VE are American citl-
zens. Our children are Americans, and
we do not intend to go to England.
Unquestionably a decided anti-Eng-
lish feeling has strongly manifested it
self in the ranks of the Salvation Army
in this city Taken all in all, the end
locks ominous for the American army.
A reporter of the United Press put the
question to Ballington G0oTn this even
ing if his decision of to-day to accept
the situation and retire from the army
was final. The ex-commander paused
a moment and then said: We'll, that
is my decision to-day. do not know
what will be my decision tomorrow
Colonel Nicol, who is leading the fight
against Ballington Booth, and who is
practically in temporary command OF
the army in this country, said this even
ing: commissioner Eva Booth met the
officers in council this evening with my
self and made a statement upon the
present difficulty. She afterward met
the leading field and staff officers, and
received assurances of unswerving 10y
atty to the flag of the Salvation Army.
All likelihood of split is over. There
will, no doubt, be a great fight between
both sides for some time to come, but
Eva Booth and her leaders are confl-
dent of an ultimate victory"
Continuing, Mr.. Nicol said: I'm MAX
ing this change it is farthest from our
minds to make it the opportunity for
anglicizing the American army. We
discarded the trousers in India, and fly
the Stars and Stripes in America. We
adapt ourselves to John Bull in England
and Uncle Sam In America We are one
for the rescue of the whole world
This afternoon a heated discussion
was held at the headquarters. Mr.. and
Mrs. Booth We're sent for to give their
statements Mr. Booth spoke for an
hour, and his wife occupied the same
length of time. The newspaper men
were excluded, and what transpired
could not be learned.
At o'clock this evening ex-Com
mander Booth called the reporters into
his wife's former office and made the
following statement:
''The session to-day was composed of
the most prominent staff officers on the
American field, therefore the most eff
cient, most responsible and most rep
resentative. Some 10000 adherents
were represented. I emphatically de-
MED the statement that I was not dis
missed, in proof of which I give the
following:
Colonel Nico1 told Mrs. Booth
and myself to prepare for the worst
after having met Eva Booth on her ar
rival
's Second = Commandant Herbert
Booth stated that he was empowered to
ask Mrs. Booth and myself for our keys,
portfolio and Offices at once replied:
tCommandant, I must have your au-
thority from the chief at London for
that He replied: You can have that
before L o'clock This was last Thurs
day.
aThird-He asked two things. One
was whether I would go to London. I
replied no, except on our conditions:
First, that three Brigadiers from
America be present at all interviews in
London; second, that Colonel Eadie be
at once withdrawn TO England; third,
that Commandant Herbert Booth go
back to London and remain there dur
ing my absence, and not return under
any circumstances or pretext whatever
until my return to the United States;
fourth, that Colonel Nicel, the Generals
representative, remain here and assist
in commanding; fifth, that Commits
sioner Eva return to London with me;
sixth, that no one else be sent here in
my absence until returned; seventh,
I to return 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 second, the third and fourth con-
ditions of my request were refused.
They said I must go before a court of
inquiry in London. To go before court
of inquiry means court-martial I have
done nothing to be court-martialed for.
'eThen came the painful episode of
Herbert Booth demanding my keys. 1
was then served with brief from Lon
don which empowered my removal We
were dismissed. They were empow-
cred to do so. Since to-day's session
Mrs. Booth and myself have been wait
ed upon and questioned as to our plans.
We propose to quietly retire. We accept
our dismissal. We will probably turn
over all the property in our possession
We win first, however, consult law
yers and some of the leading citizens Of
the United States"
Mr.. and Mrs. Booth shook hands
with the reporters, bade them farewell
and drove away from the building in
cab.
The following dispatch was posted at
army headquarters:
Toronto Feb. %, 1896.
Colonel Nicol: Elucidate to officers
and post on bulletin board, send copies
to editors
Comrades: The press has been mis-
informed concerning my visit to New
York. Have done my duty with prayers
and tears as a brother to prevent a
breach in the family hitherto unbroken
and preserved from an irreparable ca
"a - "A A - 81 m