The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-03-01
AN AMERICAN ARMY
TO BE LED BY BALLINGTON BOOTH
AND HIS GIFTED WIFE.
Steps Taken That Will Split the Sal
vatiOnists in This COuntry-rses-
ignations of Officers.

NEW YORK, Feb. 29.-The World will
publish the following tomorrow:
Ballington Booth is making plans for an
independent American Salvation Army, of
which he and his wife will be the leaders.
He announced the decision to start such a
movement yesterday, but it will be several
weeks before he can tell just on what lines
the work will be undertaken. The deposed
commander said in regard to the matter:
81 have received very large number of
letters and kilograms and messages from
people in all parts of the country, many of
them auxiliary members Of the Salvation
Army. The practically unanimous sentiment
expressed in them is that Mrs. Booth and /
should organize and lead an Independent re-
ligous movement. Both Mrs. Booth and my
self are strongly inclined to comply with
these demands; in fact, may say that such
en- organization. will be established. Consid-
cradle time is needed, however, to perfect the
plans and details of such widespread move
ment. 1t win be essentially American in
character. and we have already received
most cordial assurances Of support from men
and women of prominence in all walks of
life. Although most of our former associates
in the army have given their allegiance to
the new commissioner, they are watching
every move made by us with the deepest in
terest and concern. From many of them
have received messages assuring me of their
personal devotion.
Information reached me to-day of the res
ignaton of Staff Captain Blanche Cox, in
command Of the Maryland division. with
headquarters at Washington. She is un-
doubtedly the best special worker In the ar
my. and her influence cannot be underrated.
l may say that three more high officers,
whose names will be surprising, will soon
announce their designations. Already seven
secretaries of district auxiliary organiza-
tons in Eastern cities have resigned, carry
ing with them many persons who have
hitherto been valued supporters OF the Sal
walton Army. As to the property Of the ar
my which is still in my possession. it will be
turned over in due time to those in power"
Ballington Booth has prepared a long
statement in the form of letter, which
will be sent tomorrow to his former COM
rades. 1t relates to circumstances of the
dissension among the leaders and en-
phaticslly denies that he resigned, but de-
clares that he was, on the contrary, forced
out of the army. Threats were thrown
against u.s. writes the ex-commander
I'm place of calm and loving persuasons
they spoke with bitterness, threats and
oh, none will ever know the darkness of
sorrow and the agony of disappointment
with which We went out OF our beloved
national headquarters with the singing
words and the threatened curses on us
and our little ones stia stabbing our
hearts"
Commander Eva c. Booth and her lieu
tenant, Col. Alexander Nicol, left their
Offices in the national headquarters of the
Salvation Army in West Fourteenth street
early tonight. They had been waiting all
day to hear from Ballington Booth through
counsel representing the former command
er on the one side and the Salvation Army
on the other, but up to the time Of their
departure to their respective quarters for
the night, IL was said. no information had
the ex-commander is reported to be indis-
posed. Commander Eva c. Booth will con-
fer with the officers tomorrow and will
then proceed to Newark, where she will
speak in the afternoon, returning to New
York In time TO preside at q meeting in
Cooper Union al night.