Evening star., 1902-01-04
A TREASONABLE DOCUMENT
AMERICAN SOLDIERS URGED TO DE-
sERT TO FILIPINOs.
Signatures Supposed to Have Been
Made Under Duresx-Gen. Chaffee's
Action in One Case.

Action in One Case.
The War Department has received from
the Philippines copies of a remarkable
proclamation, signed with the, names OF
nine Americans-seven of them described
as being in the United States military
service-inviting American soldiers to de-
sert and join the ranks of the Filipino SOL
diery. The text Of the document is as fol-
lows:
ITO whom it may concern.
Dear Fellow Countrymen: After many
months among the Filipino people, study
ing their customs and characters, we, the
undersigned, have come to the conclusion
that the time has arrived for us to bre ak
the silence and let you know the real
truth so that you will see the folly of a
continuation of fighting these people
who are defending their country against
the cruel American invasion in the same
manner in Which our forefathers did
against England in those glorious days of
our grand and noble liberator, Gen. George
Washington.
"Since the day We were led by our con-
science and presented ourselves to the Fill
pino authorities, we have received the best
of treatment and we are enjoying life of
luxury, without having to put our lives in
danger as you who still remain in the
| cause, which sooner or later must surely
prove disastrous as it did to the Spanish,
Notwithstanding that they anew the coun-
try and customs of the people better than
the Americans do.
For aforementioned reasons, and also
that the war may soon end, We ask the
men of the American army, stationed in
these islands, to present themselves to the
Philippine authorities, as We did, thereby
showing yourself to be true Americans up
holding the policy of Washington and the
Monroe doctrine, against the ambitious pol
icy of President Mckinley, who for two
years has carried on this cruel war, spilIing
the innocent blood of thousands of Ameri-
can soldiers. and with what object? To
fill the pockets Of Mark Hanna ard several
other American capitalists who have been
for years and are now ruling America to-
day, or, in other words, changing your blood
for gold and robbing many loving mother
or wife or son or husband-there making a
once happy home sad and miserable.
Before We close let us tell you that near
every town there are always stationed
forces OF Filipino troops, to whom, should
you so desire you can present yourselves
with or without your rifles. and to avoid
danger it is best to hide them in a secure
place, and after you have presented your
self inform the Filipino officer or chief of
the guerrillas, and they will recover them
and pay you some money in return.
with this we conclude. wishing you tine
best of fortune.
I'VE remain yours most sincerely,
(Signed HARRY HORAL ALTMAN.
Company X.
JOHN BLAKE,
'Trumpeter, Company B, 23th United
States Infantry.
FRANK L. CLARK,
Company F, 2lst United States Infantry
-. THOMAS KREIDER,
Corporal, 3sth United States Volunteer In
fantry.
"CHARLES BUCHANAN.
Company b, 2Sth Infantry Volunteers.
HARRY RICHTER,
18th United States Artillery.
CHARLEY WRIGHT,
Hospital Corps.
FITZ HUGH SMITH
JOHN RYAN,
18th Regiment"
John T. Kreider, one of the signers of
this proclamation. was recently tried by
a military commission In the Philippines on
charge of treason, and the records of the
court-martial have just been received at
OF proof said General Chaffee, in reviewing
the case, was in favor of the contention of
the accused that he was held by the insur-
gents as prisoner and took no part In op-
erattons against the United States gave no
AID and comfort to the enemy, made rea-
sonaDle effort to escape and was compelled
by his captors under legal duress to sign
the above proclamation by threats of yio.
renee @ In case he refused. while no treason
able intent or overt act is established
against the accused by competent evil
dence, said General Chaffee, "it, however,
remains to be remarked that it is the duty
OF every American soldier to face impend-
ing DANGER or death rather than sign n
reasonable proclamation, even if it be pre-
pared, as was the one in this case by the
enemy. Nor should he do any other act
th that might nave even seeming of giving
the enemy encouragement The true SOL
dier not only takes the risks of battle. but
all other risks of life growing out of any
ana all lneidentsIof war. and accepts the
chance OF life or death rather than do
aught to injure his country's cause or dis
honor the uniform he wears"
Inc military commission found Kreider
sults Oh the charge of treason. and SEN
fenced him to confinement at. hard labor
Tor life, but General Chaffee, because Of
the absence of conclusive proof that the ar
| cused mad committed an overt act (sucb an
act being necessary to consummate the
technical offense of treason). disapproyed
the sentence and ordered the prisoner set at
| liberty. Se' at