The Sentinel=record., 1912-08-21
VETERAN COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF SALVATION ARMY PASSED
 AWAY AT 10:3o.
FUNERAL IS NOT ANNOUNCED
Death Dde to Operation--lnterest Centers in Selection of a
 Successor--kiis
 Life Work.

London, Aug. 20.-The Rev Wm Booth, general and commander in chief of the Salvation Army, died at lU: l3 o'clock. He was born at Not tingham in 1929. The veteran Saliva ton Army leader was unconscious for forty eight hours previous to death. The medical bulletins had not re- yealed the seriousness of the gener- als condition, which for week past, | il is now admitted was hopeless. Twelve weeks ago General Booth underwent an operation for the re- moyal of a cataract in his left eye. For two days after the operation in dications justified the hope of the generals recovery. Then septic pois- oning set in, and from that time, with the exception of occasional rallies, the patients health steadily declined. The general recognized that the end was near and often spoke of his work as being finished
 Throughout the commander in chiefs illness his son, Bramwell Booth, chief of staff of the army, and Mrs. Bramwell Booth. gave their un- lremitting attentions to him both night and day.
 The aged evangelist died at his residence, the nRookstone, Hadiey- wood, some eighf miles from London, where he had been confined to his bed ever since the operation. Present at the bedside when the end came
 were MT. and Mrs Bramwell Booth and their daughter and son, AdJutant Catherine Booth and Sergeant Der
 hard Booth the generals youngest
 daughter. Commissioner Mrs. Booth | HelDerd and Commissioner Howard, Colonel Kitching and Dr. Wardlaw
 Milne.
 l Public interest now centers on the question of a successor to the lat
 commander. Under the constitution of the Salvation Army, the general nominates his successor. That Gen eral Booth several years ago did. placing the name in a sealed envelope. which was deposited with the Salva- tion Armys lawyer with instructions that it should not be opene1 until af- ter his death While nobody knows what name the envelope contains. the general belief among the Salvation Army is that it will prove to be that of Bramwell Booth. who, for thirty years has been his chief of staff. Where General Booth will be buried | has not yet been decided. While ev- cry English member of the Salvation Army is convinced that no man was more worthy of interment in West minister Abbey, it is not expected this honor will be awarded to General | Booth by the Abbey authorities. Ii Is the general belief that the commander ! in chiefs last resting place will be beside that of his wife, who twenty one years ago was buried in Abney Park, Stoke Newington.
 Almost the last words of General Booth, uttered just before he lost Consciousness, when referring to Gods premises, were:
 They are sure-they are sure--if you will only believe"
 It is probable the obsequies will in clude the lying in state for several days at Congress Hall, Clapton, after which there will be a big memorial service and a procession to Abney Park.
 BramwelI Booth this afternoon,
 while under the fear that the evan- gelist's end was approaching, said; The general is quite free from lpain. but in the last few days he has had increasing difficulties in articu- lation and is unable to express him. self clearly We have received mes
 sages of sympathy from all over the
 world. showing the very great affec- tion manifested towards him."
 Colonel Kilching said that up to Saturday General Booth showed so- lleitude for the work of the army He
 inquired about the progress being
 made in America and India, especial.
 about the welfare of the officer sent
 to China to report on the possibility
 of commencing work there
 We had not expected the enf [ quite so soon," Colonel Kilching con tinued. "The general died yer, lpeacefully and quietly without tn,
 slightest struggle. I think the opera tion may have accelerated death, bu ;, I do not believe it was the cause o
 his demise. l think perhaps the dis Appointment following non-return 0 the generals sight was greate ! strain upon him than the operation itself. He was very buoyant unti ! three weeks ago. when a decide, } change for the worse occurred. Afte that he gradually sank.
 } When General Booth said iron time to time that when the wire flashed round the world the news Q