GENERAL BOOTH.

Evening Star, Issue 8615, 8 September 1891, Page 3

GENERAL BOOTH.

HIS VISIT TO THE COLONIES. INTERVIEWED BY THE ‘STAR’S’ LONDON CORRESPONDENT. [Fbom Opr Special Correspondent.] London, July 23. General Booth leaves England to-day for Australia and New Zealand, travelling via the Cape. There was a great farewell at Exeter Hall on Monday evening, at wbioh the General (who seems to have completely recovered his health) spoke for two hours, and very fully unfolded his plans. On the platform were the Countess of Aberdeen, Lady Henry Somerset, Dr Heywood Smith, Rev. Dr Edgar (of Melbourne), and some of the delegates to the Congregational Council, who desired, however, to remain incognito, being there simply as lookers on. The vast ball filled with the Salvation Army and outsiders the instant Ae doors opened, and thousands had to be refused admission. For the first half-hour the audience enjoyed itself vastly, thundering out the songs of the Army to the accompaniment of a fearfully and wonderfully constructed brass band,

Volleys of “ Hallelujahs ” greeted the General’s uprising. He began to speak in somewhat subdued tones, but presently warmed to his subject and roused his listeners to ■ the highest pitch of enthusiasm. They forgot to “ Hallelujah,” and cheered heartily.^ The following are the passages relating to the General’s colonial mission. Mr Booth said: “Next Saturday afternoon, between three and four o’clock, he would leave Southampton for South Africa, where good work had already been done by Salvation soldiers, among both the Europeans and the Natives. It was among the Natives that they hoped to do a vast amount of good. After spending a fortnight in Africa, he would continue his journey on to Australia. They had been at work between seven and eight years in the new country already, and God had given them a good blessing, and they believed that the foundation was being laid there for a mighty Salvation empire. He wanted the Salvation Army to be pretent at the rocking of the cradle of this coming giant, and to put their mark upon him. They wanted the rising nation at the other end of the earth to know, and not only to know, but to love God, and, as far as possible to act up to His Holy Word. He was looking forward to a very hearty reception in Australia. Continuing bis journey, he would pay a flying visit to New Zealand, and then commence his return journey, taking India on his way Home. In India they had at the present time over 500 officers preaching the Gospel, and of these nearly 403 were Natives, the great majority of whom had been converted from raw heathenism and trained to fight according to the principles of the Army. His tour would occupy about six or seven months, and when he returned he would want to know what those in charge had been doing in his absence.”

Thinking you would like rather further details than the foregoing of General Booth’s Australasian programme, I called yesterday at headquarters and interviewed the Salvation chief. Tho great hall in Queen Victoria street was full of soldiers and lasses bent on the same errand, and at first

I despaired of getting at the great man. After, however, writing my name and busi ness on a card (like one docs at a big newspaper office) and waiting a bit, an A. I) C. appeared. This was the General’s private secretary, Colonel Nicol, who, with a shorthand clerk, will accompany him on his Antipodean expedition. “The General is very busy,” said the Colonel,| “but he will spare you a few moments. Btep this way.” I followed him to the sanctum sanctorum of the Salvationists, where tho General and several officers were discussing the arrangements for the grand “send off” at Southampton to morrow. Four thousand warriors are to accompany the Scot down Southampton’s water in steamboats, The hallolujahing will be terrific. “I suppose, General,”! began when tho staff disappeared, “you have had a number of Australian correspondents here asking questions ?” “No ; you are the first,” was the unexpected reply. “And how do you like the prospect of this tour ?”

“I am looking forward with profound thankfulness to the brief rest the voyage will afford. For the last twenty years or more I havo never had a holiday. Even during my slight illnesses important papers, etc., were always read out to me. On land it is impossible for me to get away from work. Certain matters must be attended to, no matter what state I may be in." “And yon expect a cordial welcome in Australia ? ”

“ Ofa, yes ! (a little doubtfully). Why not? You may say it is not my intention to press the over-sea colony on Australia or New Zealand. I have come to the conclusion the country wouldn’t be suitable,”

“ Then the sole objects of your expedition are, 1 take it, to inspect the colonial forces of the Army, and raise money for the Darkest England scheme ? ” “ Quite so.” General Booth expects to reach Cape Town on August 10, and to leave again in the Shaw-Savill liner Tainui on the 2Sth. At Hobart Commissioner Coombes will meet the chief, and take temporary possession of his august person. The first big meeting in Melbourne is fixed for September 18. On the 22nd the General may visit Geelong, and on the 23rd proceeds via Sandhurst (where a short stay will be made) to Sydney. Five days in New South Wales and three in Brisbane, with interludes at Ipswich and Bathurst, will bring us well into October, when the General sails for New Zealand, commencing with Auckland. The Salvation chief will work South, visiting Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, and (he said) Nelson ; but I fancy he had meant either Napier or Invercargill. The party will be due again in Melbourne about Cup week, or a little later-t.c., November 12, After a stay of six days at the Victorian capital, General Booth proceeds to Adelaide, taking Ballarat en route. Here ho expects to make many friends, and will remain till the 25th of November. On that day the energetic old gentleman will reetnbark (no doubt in state) for Colombo. Qia wanderings beyond that date 1 scarcely think we need follow.

“ Come and see me when I get back and I’ll tell you all about my adventures," quoth the General cheerily. “Good bye, good-bye.” Colonel Nicol, whom Australian reporters will find very agreeable, intelligent, and communicative, remarked to me as we went out that, wonderful worker though General Booth was, his son Bramwell Booth outdid him. " For all the years,” said he, “ some of us have known the Army, that man has never taken a bolidoy. He begins at eight in the morning and goes on till eleven at night; often, indeed, he is later. We frequently think he will break down; we know he suffers much, but he’s a model of patience, and never complains.” Colonel Nicol introduced me to Colonel Pollard, who has recently returned from Melbourne’ to help with the Darkest England scheme. Be has; offered to show me round all the new experiments whenever I feel curious or sceptical concerning Army work,