The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-04-02
VA THURSDAY 2
BOOTHS WELCOME HOME
Leader Of Salvation Army Gets Re-
markable Reception in London.
WELL PLEASED WITH AMERICA
says the Army Has Made Real Prog
ress Here, and Spoke TouehlnoIy
of the Reception Accorded Him
Throughout America.

ress Here, and Spoke TcuchinqIy
of the Reception Accorded Him
Throughout America.
London. March S1.-London accord
ed General William Booth. comman-
derin-chief of the Salvation Army. a
great welcome home at the Albert
T Hall last night The immense audi
forum was packed from the floor to
The roof. There was not a vacant
seat in the building. which has a ca
pacity Of 5000 persons. and i'm spite
OF the rainy nipht hundreds were turn
ed away from the door. The organ
izers OF the demonstration 18th a keen
eye to effect, decked hundreds of Off
GERS of the Salvation Army with broad
scaris. shawls and head dresses OF
brilliant colors. thus forming great
blocks of color against the background
of soberly-clad spectators. Four hun
dred uniformed musicians. drawn
FROM the Salvation bands in London.
We're massed around the massive or
gan at the end OF the hall.
General Booths appearance on the
platform was the signal for a remark
able demonstration. The audience
rose as ono man. fiuttering handker-
chiefs and programmes. and cheering
for several minutes. while the bands
and the organ added a harmonious
note to this thunderous welcome. The
white-hearded veteran. accompanied
by Mrs. Booth and the international
headquarters stan. stood bowling his
acknowledgements until the uproar
ceased
A spectacular feature OF the meet
ing followed in the form of a review
OF the various departments of the
Salvation Army. These marched in
and crossed the stage. saluting the
general as they passed, each depart
mcnt bearing a distinctive banner and
wearing costumes according to the
various branches of work in which
the membegs were engaged.
In this review were included the edi-
torial and printing house stan. the
foreign converts, Hindoos. Zulus. Sou
danese. Japanese. Chinese, all in their
native costumes; cadets. field officers.
Stun workers. men. women and chill
dren from the slums, before and after
their rescue; soldiers. sailors, repre-
sentatives of the various trades taught
in the army homes. colonists who are
training for foreign settlement and
many others
General Booths speech was fire.
quently interrupted by applause.
Fellow workers." he said in part.
Il can report we'll Of the army both in
the United States and Canada. The
Salvation Army has made great and
real progress in America since nv last
visit, and | see strong promise OF
the creation on that continent OF the
most powerful sections Of the army"
The general spoke touchingiy on
the reception accorded him through
out America. and the reference he
made 70 the kindness OF his reception
by President Roosevelt and the dis
tinction shown him as the represent
alive Of the Salvation Army by the
United States congress evoked re
peated applause.
Il like the American" said General
Booth. land believe he likes me.
He is willing to risk something to
gain his end. and does not let preju-
dice or tradition stand in his way"
The meeting concluded with an ex-
hibition of moving pictures of Incl
dents in General Booths American
tour