The Hope pioneer., 1896-03-20
sALVATIONISTS SORRY.
Recall of Commander and Mr.. Bal
Mn9ton Booth to London.
Comes as . Great Surprise to Them and
Their Largo Army Of Co-Laborers-
Possible Significance Of the
Sudden Order.


in the ranks of the Salvation Army as
to the successor of Commander and Mrs.
Ballington Booth in the leadership of
the army in America. The news Of the
recall of the commander and his wife
came so unexpectedly to the great mass
of Salvationists who know how great
ly attached the commander has become
to America, that many believe the order
would either be rescinded or that the
commander would resist it.
The officials at headquarters the
other day said they were absolutely
without data that would help in spec
ulation as to a new leader. There
seems to be little doubt that Cen.
Booth dislikes the idea of his son be-
coming an American citizen, and of
the Salvation Army becoming an Amer
ican organization.
If this is tho case, it is likely that
new leader will be imported from
England, or maybe from Australia,
where the commander worked before
coming to America.
These, however, are the ideas secuted
by the highest officers of the staff
in New York city. Commander Booth
also deprecates this Interpretation of
the situation. There are probably few
shrewler men than the founder of the
Salvation Army, and none would rca-
lizc quicker than he the detrimental
influences such a policy would have
upon the army in this country and upon
its work. Probably the eventual eX-
PLANTATION of the generals plans will
he found in the placing of Balling-
ton Booth in charge of the headquar-
tiers in England. Up to the present
time the general has personally super
intended the administration of af-
fairs of the army, and it is thought by
some that the increasing age of the
general has urged upon him the ne
cessity of retirement, and that it is
his intention to institute Commander
Ballington Booth rs his successor.
| In statement issued the other day
by Commander Booth and Mrs. Booth,
they say:
:'It is with profound sorrow that Com
mander and Mrs. Booth have to notify
their staff and field officers that they
have received orders to relinquish their
command in about nine weeks time.
They have no knowledge whatever of
their successors, or the generals plans,
nor have they been consulted on the
question. This change of command is
not of their own seeking nor of their
doing in any way, nor are they re-
sponsible.
| .Urho Co,nu,,v1oro n ri Afrc noo41, .,,;I1
at once proceed with arrangements to
farewell rs soon as they hear from
London, but will always regard their
precious American troops with tender
est affection and undying interest"
There are at the present time II
corps of the army in New York city,
which number ayout 1900 men. Chi
ccgo stands first, with % corps. includ-
ing about 10000 soldiers. Other strong
adelphia, Boston, Kansas City and Min
neapois. The whole army in the
United States includes about 10000 Off
GERS and soldiers. This means only
the members of the army who wear
uniforms and devote their lives to the
work. There are 1900 paid officers.
Herbert Booth, youngest son of Gen.
William Booth, and brother of Gen.
darlington Booth. Of the Salvation
Army, has just arrived in New York
from London. He was asked as to the
reported recall of Ballington Booth and
his wife from their American work.
He did not know the cause of the recall,
he said. but thought it likely it was be-
cause of the practice OF changing the
command Of the army officers every
sin or seven years. lie did not know
whether he was to take his brothers.
place or not. but thought it not un-
| aikely that his district would be
changed within the next four months
or SO.