The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-04-13
DARLINGTON BOOTHS BOLT.
The Generals Prejudice Against
America the Cause.

New 1Ork, April l2.COmmander and
Mrs. Ballington Booth tonight gave out
a statement. Of which the following is an
abstract: Since our statement, written
IN response TO the urgings we received, to
inaugurate. new movement was issued,
We avoided making any reply TO the mac
curate statements which have from time
to time appeared in print from the present
leaders Of the Salvation Army. 1t was our
intention 10 maintain this silence, but dur
ing the last few days news has reached US
that portions of our private letters are
Delng SHOWN by LOndon's representatives,
who are putting their own interpreta tons
upon our reasons for our present position.
-, Hearing of this our Friends and our
ohcers, VINO wish their position at our side
20 be understood, urge US to state some of
our reasons for deciding not to take an
other command under International gov
ernment.
First, the generals visit was the pri-
mary cause between us and himself
From first to last he impressed US with
MS dlspleasure and his dissatisfaction with
us personally and with our method of
administering affairs. We loved and un-
Uerstood this country He exhibited pref
udice and miSconception of it and its
people. He objected to the display of
the national flag upon our badges and in
our halls and in our homes. He said that
the stars and stripes at the head of our
parades. He objected to the use of the
eagle upon our crests and insignias, and
constantly spoke deprecatingly of
institutions. Our constant defense
and explanation in answer to his
attacks only increased the difficulty. He
spoke no word OF public approval of our
service or success, and in other ways
that We need not mention, made the visit
one Of the bitterest experiences of our
lives.
Second, during our experience in Amer
lca, We have gradually become convinced
that the system OF governing the work
in this country from a foreign center by
laws made by those unaware Of the needs
and condition of the country is neither
wise nor practical. Constant friction has,
on this account, existed between us and
the International headquarters.
Third, Our Judgment has been forced
upon points that We did not approve and
we have been made to feel that the gov
personally concerned, we could not ac-
cept another command where We should
have, to administer while we ourselves
could not agree with the rules it demand
ed and enforced.
Fourth, The rules and regulations gov
erning the army to the minutest detail
were being made in England and the COM
missioners of foreign commands were
obliged to force them, though they them
selves had in nowise been consulted on
the formulation of the same.
Fifth, For years we had not been con-
suited on the part of the movements and
innovations of the army, although sup
responsible officers.
sixth, Our Judgment was not accepted
on matters vitality affecting the welfare
of the work in this country.
Seventh. During his last interview with
us in America, the general stated that he
wished us to assist the struggling work in
Canada by giving up certain portion of
the United States to be annexed to the
dominion. We expressed our willingness
to further assist our comrades in Canada
with money (having already helped them
nnanClallVl. but that the annexation of
American territory to Canada was quite
impracticable and would damage the
work. Our arguments carried no weight
and the general considered them unrea-
sonable. When we spoke of the national
feeling, he closed the controversy by
drawing his fingers down tho map of
North America in three section, declar-
ing that ultimately he intended TO cut the
country in three, joining each to a section
of Canada to break down any national
feeling existing. We said such a division
would ruin the work in this country
where the unbroken union of the states
means so much. After the generals re-
turn to England a long correspondence
followed, in which we gave a number of
reasons against this annexation. Though
they could not deny our judgement, they
forced us to make the annexation and at
the present time the army work in Da-
kota, North Montana and North Wash
ington is governed from Toronto, and we
have been told that officers hardly dare to
let the citizens of these cities know that
their money goes to the Canadian head
quarters. IL was INTENDED upon our re-
moVal from the command to divide this
country, so we had built into our national
headquarters a stone from each state to
typify 'the union, one and inseparable"
Eighth, Though we repeatedly urged
after the resignation of our chief secre-
tary, William Evans, that for the sake
of the advance and safety of the work in
America it was absolutely necessary to
choose for that position an officer from
the ranks in this country who was an
American citizen. and familiar with the
thought and sentiment of the American
people, our request was ignored by the
International headquarters. We We're told
that the officer holding the position must
be some one trained In England and well
known to the general and chosen by the in
ternattonal headquarters. We had, reluc-
family, to restrict our choice to an officer
from England. Col. Eadie was sent"
In conclusion the statement says: There
will undoubtedly be denials and counter
statements made to the above, but we
can only add that we believe that our lives
before the American public viii at least
exonerate US from insincerity of motive
and unwoItthiness of purpose We wish
the army no evil and would not have thus
written had they taken our advice and re-
manned silent"