The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-02-25
SALVATION ARMY REVOLT
General and Mrs. BallingtOn Booth
Retire from Office.
EVA BOOTH NOW IN COMMAND
Newspaper Men Arc Excluded from q
stormy Session Hold at tho Head.
quarters OF the Army-Mr. and Mrs.
Booth Will Remain iu America.

New York. Feb. 2i.-Ballington "a. 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 We're cabled to her today
from the London headquarters. Mr..
and Mrs. Booth accepted their dismis.
sal very quietly. They We're asked II
they would go to England or remain in
America. I'VE will remain here. said
the commander. I'VE are ~ merican
citizens. Our children are Americans,
and We do not intend TO go TO England.
Today was lively day at the head
quarters Of the army In One Hundred
and Fortieth street. From 10 O'Clock in
the morning until late in the Afternoon
Il heated conference was held IN the au-
ditorium. The most prominent starr
officers i'm America were present. After
the commissioners from abroad had
stated their side of the case, MI. ana
Mrs. Booth were sent for 10 give their
statement. Mr.. Booth spoke Tor 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 eN-Com-
mander Booth called the reporters into
his wife's former office and made the
following statement: .
THE session today was compOSed or
the most prominent staff officers IN
the American field, therefore most ef-
ficient, most responsible and most rep
resentative Some 40 600 adherents were
represented. 1t was gathering not or
my calling together but one convened
by the said staff to which Mrs. Booth
and myself We're invited that We might
give our version of the case after the
same staff had heard the field commits
sioner Eva Booth and Colonel Nicols
side of the case"
Commander Booth denied that he
was not dismissed and gave proof to
show that he was.
Continuing Commander Booth said:
Since today's session Mrs. Booth and
myself have been waited upon and
questioned as to our plans. We pro-
pose to quietly retire. We accept our
dismissal We will probably turn over
an the property in our possession. We
will first, however consult lawyers and
some of the leading citizens in the
United States"
ANTI-ENGLISH FEELING.
Unquestionably decided anti-En-
glish feeling has strongly manifested
itself in the ranks of the Salvation
Army in this city. Taken all in all
the end looks ominous for the Ameri-
can army. A representative OF the
United Press put the question to Bal
lington Booth this evening. If his de-
cisiop of today ~ accept the situation
and retire from the army was final
The x-commander paused n moment
and then said well, that is my de-
cision lay. Edo not know what VIII
be my decision tomorrow"
1t is claimed by many Saliva tionistS
that if the commissioned officers Of the
army in America should decide to re-
bel against English domination, and
summon to lead an American Saliva
ton Army. Ballington Booth and his
wife. they will willingly respond. Col
onel Alex NJ. Nicol, who is leading the
fight against the Ballington Booths,
and who is practically in Temporary
command of the army in this country,
was seen this evening. He said:
Commissioner Eva Booth met the
officers in council this afternoon with
myself and made statement upon the
present difficulties. She afterwards
met privately the leading field and staff
officers and received assura nee of un-
swerving loyalty to the flag of the one
world-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 Miss Eva Booth and her
glorious victory.
A pathetic scene occurred as Mr. and
Mrs. Ballington Booth We're leaving
their old quarters in the arm ory. Mrs.
Booth came running over to her hus-
band. just as he announced that he
would retire from the army command.
She nestled close to his breast and.
looking up into his face. said: But
you are still my commander oh.
yes" replied Mr.. Booth. and you are
my queen" Some one then proposed
three cheers for Mr. and Mrs. Booth,
and they We're given with will.
Mr.. and Mrs. Booth shook hands with
the reporters. bade them farewell and
drove away from the building in n cab