The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-02-25
AMERICAN ARMY
Salvatlonists May Break Away From
English Authority.
LETTER FROM BRAMwELL BOOTH
Defends Course Pursued by
the General.

NEW York, Feb. 25.-Commander Bal.
lngton Booth and Mrs. Booth left the
national headquarters of the Salvation
Army last night for good. Mrs. Booth
said she would send after her few remain
ing belongings today, but that she herself
would not return TO the office Mr. Booth
said that they would turn over oil offairs
to his successor, and that they should con-
suit leading citizens to learn how best
the interests OF the American people may
be conserved in the matter OF disposing of
some OF the army property OF which he
was acting as trustee.
X. o. Alexander. attorney for Balling-
ton Booth, ex-commander of the Salvation
Army in the United States, declared yes.
terday that his client would not turn over
the American property of tho army TO
Booth Tucker the new chief now coming
from London TO take charge of the Ameri-
can army. Mr.. Alexander said further
that Mr.. Booth might proceed TO reorgan-
ize the, army on an independent and dis
tinctly American basis.
1.-The Salvation Army is not organized
rs corporation" said Mr.. Alexander
"and cannot hold property In its own
name. Nor can . foreigner hold real
estate In this country unless he has de-
clared his intention to become citizen,
and so the army property-all the real
estate property at any rate-has been ac-
quired in his name
Legally he Is the absolute owner of
property valued ut 500, 900. There are no
restricting clauses about holding in trust,
or as trustee in any of the title deeds.
The War Cry belongs to him also. He
may do with 10 exactly as he pleases.
Neither his father nor anyone else has
legal right TO interfere with It's manage.
ment, or to claim penny Of what the
paper earns.
"Americans' Interests" Considered.
"Ballington Booth realizes where his
obligations lie, and he will not fail to
meet them, but he knows what is in justice
due TO him as well, and he will be guided,
as well ms his wife. by the best interests Of
the army in this country. The result Of
the trouble will be good. The United
States may have Its own army, an Ameri-
can army, the best In the world"
meeting Of sympathizers with Bal
lington Booth was held at headquarters
yesterday. The staff officers who were at
the meeting were fixed in their purpose to
support Blllington Booth in whatever ne
chooses 10 do even to the extent Of rebel
lion and the establishment of an Ameri.
can army totally independent of English
control.
One OF the staff officers said that the
property of the army in America, as we'll
rs the money, was In Ballington Booths
hands, and was likely TO stay there. He
thought that the time for sympathy was
over, and practical business was ut the
top. There was no reason why the army
in America should submit to arbitrary
action from England, and it would not be
tolerated.
Another staff officer said that there was
no doubt in his mind but that Ballington
Booth would declare the army To be free
and independent of England. and would
go on with him Mt the head without die
tation. The officer felt sure that the rank
and file of the army would stand by tho
commander in the present emergency, al
though some might hold out for while.
A bulletin was posted stating that Eva
Booth had been appointed (by cable) tenn
porary commander, pending the arrival
of new commander from England.
Talks For tho General.
BramwSll Booth, on Feb. Is, mailed q
long letter to Chauncey M. Depew, in re-
ply 10 Mr.. Depew's letter of protest as
chairman OF "a mass meeting held In New
York, against the removal of Commander
and Mrs Ballington Booth. The letter
says:
II have to acknowledge the receipt OF
the letter OF Feb. g, signed by yourself and
other gentlemen, and addressed to General
Booth Inasmuch as n considerable delay
must needs occur before the general can
reply by letter to yours, owing to his alb
sence in the East and seeing that have
already obtained from the general-to
whom l have cabled an epitome Of the
resolutions which are embodied in yours
telegraphic instructions as TO his views on
the matter generally, 1 shall endeavor at
once to explain them on his behalf SO far
as am able.
II will confine myself TO indicating to
you the general principles that are at the
base of the generals decision to change
the commanding officers Of the army In
the United States. desire, first of all, TO
point out that this change Is In entire
harmony with the system and practice of
the army since its inauguration. Indeed,
but for the operation of this rule Of peri
odical removal from one command 10 an
other, Commander and Mrs. Ballington
Booth would not have been appointed to
the United States at all. / dwell upon
this fact because l sec evidence, both in
your memorial before me and in the COM
mcnts OF u section Of the American press,
OF = supposition that in some way our
treatment of the present case is excep-
tional
81 think you will admit that tho largo
measure of success which has been at
tained by the army is In itself proof that
the anticipations of disaster-very similar
I'm character TO those you seem TO entertain
which have nearly always found ex-
preston when our successful commission
ers were removing, have been groundlcss.
These removals have always been made;
they have always been deprecated. aud
often vigorously opposed; but | think you