Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-01-04
REMARKABLE
PROCLAMATION
Issued BY American Deserters in
The Philippines.
INVITATIONS TO SOLDIERS.
Asked 60 join Fiilpinos, Who Are
Praised white the United states
Is CONDEMNED.


Washington, Jan. 4,--The war depart
nert has rec eived from the Philippines
copies Of remarkable proclamation,
signed WITH tue names OF nine Ameri-
cans, ven OK thern stated as being IN
tho United States military service, lr-
;ltlng american soldiers to de5ert ana
j5m ,he ranks Of the Filipino yoIdiery.
The text of the document is as follows
40 Whom 1t MAY concern
"Doar fellow countlymel After
idany minus among the Filipino peo-
pie, knowing Their customs and char
acters, 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 viii see the folly OF a continuation
Of lighting these people who are de-
Tending their country against the cruel
American invasion IA the same manner
az our torefathers dldagainst England
in those glorious days OF our grand and
noble liberator, Gent Ie0rge Washing
ton N
Since the day we Were led by our
conscience and presented ourselves to
the Philippine authorisies we have re-
ceiyed the best OF treatment and we are
enjoying a life OF Luxury without hay
ing TO put our lives In danger as do you,
who stil remain Ia the, american ranks
fighting for an unjust cause which
la "a. ttsal.f To-
astrous, as II did to the Spanish, not
wltbstandlng that they Knew the cOun-
try and customs Of the people better
than the Amerlcans do.
For above mentioned reasons and
also that the war may sobn end, we ask
thu men OF the American army station
ed In these Islands 70 present them
selves to the Philippine authorities as
we did, thereby showing yourselves 10
b. true Americana, upholdng the policy
OF Washington and the Monroe doc
trine against the ambitious policy Of
President Mckinley, who for two years
has carried on this cruel war, spilllng
the innocent blood OF thousands OF
American soldiers and with what OBJ
iectI TO All the pockets Of Mark Han
ma and several other American capital
lists, who have been for years and are
now ruling America today, or In other
words changing your blood for gold
ana robbing many a loving mother or
wife Of son or husband. tnereby making
mary a once HARDY bsat. sad and mis-
| erebe.
Before we close let us tell you that
meas 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 II Is best to
hide II In a secure place, and after yon
have presented yourself inform the Fill
ipino officer or chief Of the guerrilas
and they will recover 1t and pay you
soTe money in return.
with this we conclude, wishing you
the best Of fortune.
1--WE remain, yours most sincerely,
Harry Horal Altman, Company X.
John Blake, trumpeter, Company y,
Twenty-eghth United States infantry.
Frank L. Clark, Company i. TWEEN.
ty-flrst United States infantry
-. Thomas Krelder, corporal, Thir-
ty-eightl United States volunteers.
"Chas. Buchanan, Company b,
Twenty-eighth United States volun-
teers
Harry Richter Sixth United States
artillery.
"Chas Wright, hospital corps.
"FiLzhugh Smith
"Jonn Ryan. Fourth regiment"
John r, Kreider one OF the sgners
Of this PROCLAMATION, was tried recent
ly by a military commission IN the
Philippines, on a charge Of treason and
the records Of the court martial have
Just been received al the war depart
ment The lreponderance ot proof. said
Gen. Chaffee, in reviewing the case, was
IN favor OF The contention OF the ac-
cused that he was held by the insuI-
gents az 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-
cane and was compelled, by his captors,
nuder 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 b.
competent evidence said Gen. Chafree,
ut remains to be remarked that II Is
the duty Of the American soldier TO face
impending danger OF death rather than
sign a reasonable proclamation, even
II II 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 en-
couraFeineai. The true soldier not only
takes the RISKS Of battle but all other
risks OF lie growing out Of any and
al lncdnnta OF war. and accepts the
- pf iffa Hnufh thor q,
do nught 90 niuge HIS country's cause
or dishonor The uniform he wears
The military commission found
Eiclder guilty OF the charge Of treas>l
aud sentenced him 10 confinement at
hard labor for life but Gen Chahoo
because OF the absence Of conclusive
proof that the accused had committed
an overt act (such an act being neces-
sary 70 coDsummate the tech
meal offense OF treason) disapproved
the sentence and ordered the prieOner