The herald., 1896-02-26
THE SECESSION Sentiment
Threatens the Existence of the
Salvation Army
COL. NlCOL MAKES APPEAL
Calling Upon the Soldiers to Continue
Faithful
II Commander Ballington Booth Is Court
martisled Nothing Can Quench the
Fires OF Revolt

As ociated Press Special Wire.
NEW YORK, Feb. 25.-tollowing is the
appeal issued by Colonel Fred Nicol of the
Salvation Army, now being sent throu yh-
out the country by mail and wire by Off
GERS and soldiers:
ut is with great anguish and deep
sense OF The consequences involved that
have to confirm the telegram concerning
the lamentable and deplorable resignation
OF your commanders. Their resignation
was conveyed to the general in letter as
far back as January 81. The reasons given
for their unexpected action are alleged per-
sonal differences of some months stand
ing between our beloved general. and will,
l believe, occasion you intense surprise, a
lack of confidence in our International
system of administration.
"As you will readily imagine, this letter
OF resignation came upon our leaders as
bolt from blue sky. The commander is
one of the generals own children and an
officer whose long devotion to the war and
pledges of undying and unfl,nchlng fidelity
to our glorious flag had given him more
than warm place in the confidence of his
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 the International headquarters
acted on the first indication of the COM
mander's intention with rare considera-
ton, love and sacrifice.
"A special representative of interna-
tlonal headquarters was dispatched at
few hours notice to New York to confer
with your commander OH the whole situa-
ton and to prevail upon him to at least
gee his father before finally .persisting in
his. course. His brother, Commandant
Herbert Booth, was also urged and ordered
to bring the pressure of his f1lial regard to
bear upon the commander, as we'll as en-
deavor to throw ligdt upon his difficulties.
His sister, Field Commander Eva Booth.
who was in the midst of her London fare
well and the arrangements for the generals
return, was likewise ordered to New York
with the godspeed and prayers of the inter-
national headquarters.
"FoI days and nights these mediate
employed every possible argument, aD-
peal and entreaty to beseech the com.
manders to visit England. Their efforts
were ably supported by long cablecrams
from the general and correspondence from
International headquarters. But to our
great snd irreparable sorrow they failed
and the commanders retired last Friday
nj rning from the direction of affairs.
"As neither the commandant, nor the
field commander. nor myself pc ssesses the
power to accept your commanders resig-
naticn, we at once disowned responsibility
for the commanders step, communicated
the facts to International headquarters and
threw ourselves, with the overwhelming
burden created by the sad event, upon the
never failing stronghold of our glorious
army-the presence and the promise of
help of Jehovah.
ut is needless for me to tell you, COM
rades, the whole circumstance will at once
be the subject of investigation on the part
of the international headquarters. The
action of the commanders as well as our
own will be brought before the general and
am authorized to state that his verdict
upon the circumstances will be communi-
Gated to you in due course.
"One word more: The general, indeed
the whole army. relies upon you in this
hour of trial, and am sure the future will
show that among all the countries of the
globe there are no more faithful, devoted,
reliable or loyal officers and soldiers than
those who have carried the Stars and
Stripes into the very van of the army's
worldwide battle for God.
"Yours in bonds OF sorrow and faith and
confidence, ALIEN M. nj, OIL.
Colonel and General Representative"
Staff Captain Caygill, discussing the
situation, said:
"Commander Booth will decide Saturday
whether to lead an independent move
ment. His decision will depend on our
action in the meantime. There is strong
secession sentiment, ana if it develops
into an open revolt We will insist on Bal
lington Booth leading us again. If he
should insist upon leading an independent
movement, he might regain control of the
headquarters and the army property. If
he is courtmartialeC, the fires of revolt will
be famed to such a heat that nothing
could prevent an independent movement"