Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1896-02-29
THE SALVATION ARMY.


4 Family on thu other win Seek Advice
Before Deciding.
New YoRK, Feb. 25.-Isallinuton
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 to her yester-
day from the London headquarters
Mr.. and Mrs. Booth accepted their
dismissal very quietly. They were
asked II they would go to England or
remain in America.
I'VE will remain here" said the ex-
commander. 1--WE are American citi-
zens. Our children are Americans,
and we do not intend to go to En-
| gland"
Yesterday was lively day with the
headquarters of the army in Four
1 teenth street. From ten o'clock In the
morning until late in the afternoon a
heated conference was held in the
auditorium. The most prominent stan
officers In America were present. At
ter the committee 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 last evening ex-Com-
mander Booth called the reporters into
his wifes 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
efficient, most responsible and n,ost
representative. Some forty Thousand
adherents were represented. 1t was
gathering, not of my calling together,
but one convened by the said staff, to
which Mrs. Booth and myself were in
vited that we might give our version
OF the case after the same staff had
duly heard the field commissioners, Eva
Booth and Col. Nicols side of the case.
II emphatically denied the state
ment that was not dismissed, In proof
of which l gave out the following
statement:
First. Col. Nicol told Mrs. Booth
and myself to prepare for the worst
after having met Eva Booth on her ar
rival.
Second. Commandant Herbert
Booth stated that he WAS empowered
to ask Mrs. Booth and myself for our
keys, portfolio and offices.
Il at once replied: 'Commandant, l
must have your authority from the
chief at London for that He replied:
You can have that before 12 o'clock
This was last Thursday.
"Third. He asked two things. One
was whether would go to London.
replied no, except on our conditions
first, that three brigadiers from Amer
lea be present at all interviews in Lon
don; second, 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 re-
turning under any circumstances
or pretext whatever until my return
to the United States; fourth, that
Col. Nicol, the generals representa-
tive, remain here as assistant in COM
manding; fifth, that Commissioner
Eva return to London with me; sixth,
that no one else be sent here in my alb
sence until return; seventh, to re-
turn week after my arrival in En-
gland; eighth, that Mrs. Ballington
Booth remain at the military helm of |
the war ship in the United States DUR
ing my absence.
"The third and fourth conditions of |
my request were refused. They said / |
must go before court of inquiry in
London. To go before court of in
quiry means court-martial l have
done nothing to be court-martialed
for.
"Then came the painful episode of
Herbert Booth demanding my keys.
was then served with brief from
London which empowered my remov-
al. We were dismissed. They were
empowered to do so.
"Since to-day'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 all the property in our posses
sion. We will first, however, consult
lawyers and some of the leading citi-
zens in the United States as to our
course"
Mr. and Mrs Booth shook hands
with the reporters, bade them fare
well and drove away from the build
ing in a cab.
The following dispatch was posted
at army headquarters yesterday after
noon;
TORONTO, Feb. "a, 1896.
Col. NIcoL:-Elucidate to officers and
post on bulletin boards and 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 us brother to pre-
vent breach in the family, hitherto
and preserved from an ir-
reparable calamity. A brother can do
no other than leave consequences with
God and time. You have my truest
in this hour OF trial. You
may be relied upon, know, to main
tain the worldwide union of the Saliva
tion army, which is as dear to Ameri-
can salvationists almost as is the union
Of their beloved land.
[Signed HERBERT BooTH.
Later the following communication
was also posted;
"The general has cabled Field Com
mander Eva Booth, appointing her to
the temporary command of the Saliva
tion army forces in the United States,
md this notice is to say that all off,
GERS will, from this date till the ar
rival OF the new commander, transact
their business, in accordance with the
with her. II any officer
desires to see her, she will be pleased
10 arrange accordingly.
''God bless you. Yours affectionate-
", for God and His cross,
"WILLIAM Il. ADIE,
"Ch:cf Secretary