The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-01-21

COMMANDER AND MRS. BALLINGToN BOOTH.
tire number are American citizens either
by birth or naturalization. or the 3, GOO
commissioned local officers still greater
proportion are Americans Besides the
great number of persons in the army proper
IL has z, 600 au1,liaries among the very
best people In the oountry--including sem
ators, governors and influential persons
generally.
The Memorial building In West Four
tesnth street, New York, Is alone worth
$500, 900. and the army owns much more
property. What will become of oil these
fruits OF organization II the whole sch eme
shall be suddenly and violently changedp
These indetatigable workers have helped
their brethren IN France, Switzerland, In
ola and other Countries with hundreds of
thousands of dollars. Neither Commander
Ballington Booth nor his wife has profited
financially by all this. II they leave tho
army, they will leave 1t without money.
learned that scores, perhaps hundreds,
of messages have been cabled General
Booth in England asking aim to reconsider
his determination 30 recall his son and his
sons wife and TO radically change the
plan Of the ar'ny's work. No protest has
been made by Mr.. and Mrs Booth. What
ever may happen, their friends say, they
will remain silent, as they have been since
the surprising order was received few
days ago.
Commander Booth has had posted on the
bulletin board at tho Salvation Army head
quarters this statement by Mr.. Halllmond,
bis private secretary:
1t is with profound sorrow that the com.
mander and Mrs. Booth have to notify their
.x.1 fntl lx0t hat haxva ft.i
orders to Prepare to relinquish their command
In about nine weeks time.
They have no knowledge whatever OF their
successors OF tho generals plans, nor have
they been consulted upon the question, and
any information, therefore, as TO who succeeds
them is entirely surmised, and, so far e> they
are concerned, Is mere runfor from the other
side of the ocean.
This change OF command Is not of their seek
ing, nor of their doing, in any way, nor are
they responsible.
Commander and Mrs. Booth desire to state
emphstical/ (if, indeed, such statement is
necessary shat they are in no wise responsible
whatever for the statements made in the press.
They have not seen a representative of the
press, nor have they instisated any matter
whatsoever that he's appeared IN the press, nor
are they inclined to see press representatives.
They ere sorry that any such sentiments as
London's resolution 20 anglioise the field
should have appeared and desire that officers
will correct any snch representation.
Furthermore, Commander and Mrs. Booth
ere not in a position 10 say what or how tho
general may decide in the matter of his In
strrctions TO thcn, as they arc awaiting n reply
TO . letter they have written 60 London, set
ting forth the question In all its bearings.
They only received tho news on tho 9th inst
in the meantime IL Is Commander and Mrs.
Booths prosont prayer that no officer of any
rank "a soldier or recruit Of any corps, shall
allow those tidings 10 interfere with the prog
rcss Of hts own advance IN the organization
they have fought so long and so hard TO up
build and uphold.
The commandcr and Mrs. Booth will at onco
proceed with arrangements % bid farewell as
soon as they hear from London, bot will al
ways regard their precious American troops
with tendorest affection and undying interest.
Commander Booth shut his door TO ro-
portcrs. hut Mr.. Hallimond answered all
questions worry courteously. He said no
did not believe that IL was the generals in
tention 10 anglicize the Army I'm this
country, although an Englishman might
DO appointed In Commander Booths place
when tho latter Is relieved OF command
mkt March New York HCarld.