The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-01-05
ASK COMRADES
TO QUIT ARMY
Novel Appeal issued by American
Soldiers in Luzon.
SAID TO BE UNDER DURESS
AUTHORITIES BELIEVE SIGMA
TURES NOT VOLUNTARY.

ippines copies of a remarkable proc
lamation, signed with the names of
nine Americans, seven of them said to
be in the United States military serv-
ice, inviting American soldiers to de-
sert and join the ranks of the Filipino
soldiery. The text of the document is
as follows:
Dear Fellow Countrymen: After
many months among the Filipino peo-
PIE, knowing their customs and charac-
ters, we, the undersigned, have come
to the conclusion that the time has
ARRIVED for US to break the silence and
let you know the real truth, so that
you will see the folly of continuation
of fighting these people, who are de-
Tending their country against the cruel
American invasion in the same man
ner as our forefathers did against
England in those glorious days Of our
grand and noble liberator, General
George Washington.
Since the day we were led by our
conscience and presented ourselves to
the Philippine authorities we have re-
ceived the best of treatment and we
are enjoying a life of luxury without
having to put our lives in danger, as
do you who still remain in the Ameri
can ranks fighting for an unjust cause,
which sooner or later must surely
prove disastrous, as it did to the Span
ish, Notwithstanding that they knew
the country and customs Of the people
better than the Americans do.
Appeal to the Soldiers.
For above mentioned, reasons and
also that the war may soon end, we
ask the men of the American army
tationed in these islands to present
themselves to the Philippine authori-
ties, as we did, thereby showing your
selves to be true Americans, UNFOLDING
the Policy of Washington and the Mon
roe doctrine against the ambitious pol
icy of President Mckinley, who for
two years has carried on this cruel
war, spilling the innocent blood of
thousands of American soldiers. And
with what object? To fill the pockets
OF Mark Hanna and several other
American capitalists, who have been
for years and are now ruling America
today; or, in other words, changing
your blood for gold and robbing many
a loving mother or wife of son or hus-
band, thereby making many a once
happy home sad ana miserable.
Before we close let us tell you that
near every town there are always sta
toned 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 1t in a secure place, and
after you have presented yourself, in
form the Filipino officer or chief of the
guerrillas and they will recover it and
pay you some money in return. With
this we conclude, wishing you the best
Of fortune. We remain yours most sin
cereIy,
Harry Horal Altman, Company K;
John Blake, Trumpeter Company B,
Twenty-eighth United States Infantry;
Frank L. Clark, Company F, Twenty
first United States Infantry; J. Thomas
Kreider, Corporal, Thirty eighth Unit
ed States Volunteers; Charles Buchan-
an, Company B, Twenty-eighth United
States Volunteers; Harry Richter.
Sixth United StateszArtillery; Charles
Wright. Hospital Corps; Fitzhugh
Smith, John Ryan, Fourth Regiment"
Was Sentenced For Life.
John T. Kreider, one of the signers
Of this proclamation, was tried recent
ly by a military commission in the
Philippines on charge of treason and
just been received at the war depart
ment The preponderance of proof,
said General Chaffee, in reviewing the
case. was in favor Of the contention
OF the accused that he was held by the
insurgents as a prisoner and took no
part in operations against the United
States, gave no aid and comfort to the
enemy, made reasonable effort to es-
cape and was compelled by his captors
under legal duress to sign the above
proclamation by threats of violence in
case he refused.
While no reasonable intent or overt
act is brought against the accused by
competent evidence" said General
Chaffee, 1T remains to be remarked
that it is the duty of the American
soldier to face impending danger Of
death rather than sign a reasonable
proclamation, even if it be prepared,
as was the one in this case. by the
enemy. Nor should he do any other
act that might have even a semblance
OF giving the enemy encouragement.
The true soldier not only takes the
risks of battle, but all other risks Of
life growing out of any and all Incl
dents of 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"
The military commission found Krei-
der guilty of the charge of treason
and sentenced him to confinement at
hard labor for life, but General Chaffee,
because of the absence of conclusive
proof that the accused had committed
an overt act of treason, ordered the
prisoner set at liberty.