BoletiÌn mercantil de Puerto Rico. (San Juan, P.R.) 18??-1918, 1902-01-18

Washington, Jan. 14.-The War Depart.
ment has received from the Philippines
copies Of remarkable proclamation, signed
with the names of nine Americans, seven Of
them said to have been In the United States
military service, inviting American soldiers
to desert and join the ranks Of the Filipino
soldiery. The text Of the document Is as
follows:
To Whom 1t May Concern.
Dear Fellow Countrymen-After many
months among the Filipino people, studying
their customs and characters, we, the un-
dersigued, have come to tha conclusion that
the time has arrived for us to break the 81
ence and let you know the real truth 90
that you will see the folly Of 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 acd noble liberia
tor, Gen. George Washington.
Since the day we were led by our con-
science and presented ourselves to the Flli-
pino authorities we have received the best
Of treatment, and we are enjoying life Of
luxury soithOut hav .ng to put our lives In
danger, as do You who still remain in the
American ranks fighting for an unjust
cause, which sooner or later must surely
prove disastrous, as it did TO the Spanish,
Notwithstanding that they knew the country
and customs Of the people better than the
-A-aas- s~ss- do. ---.---~-----s.
Before we close Let us tslf you that ~
nearly every town there are always station
ed forces Of Filipino troops to Whom, should
Sou 80 desire, you can present yourselves
With or without your rifles, and to avoid
danger 1t is best to hide it In secure place,
and after you have presented yourself inform
tn, Filipino officer or chief OF the guerrilIas
and they will recover it ard pay you some
money In return.
With this We conclude, wishing you the
best OF fortune. We remain yours most
sincerely, Harry Horal Altman, Company
* John Blake, trumpstsr, COMPANY B,
Twenty eighth U. 9 Iafantry Frank L.
CLARK, Company II, Twenty-frst u. s. Iu.
fantry Thomas Kreider, corporal, Tair
ty- eighth U. 3. Volunteer .Infantry /;
Charles Buchanan, Comp any b, Twenty-
eighth Iafantry Volunteers; Harry Richter,
Sixth U. =. Artillery Oharlsy Wright,
Hospital Oorps; Fitzhugh Smith John
Ryan. Fourth Regiment
j. Il. Kreider, one Of the signsrs OF thls
proclamation, was tried recently hy mill.
tary commission In the Philippines on q
e.asge Of treason, and the records of the
court martial have just been received at
the War Departments. The preponderaucs
Of proof, said Gen. CAaffss, In reviewing
the case, was In favor Of the contention
OF the accused that he was held Dy the
insurgents as q prisoner, and took no part
In operations against the United States,
gave no aid and comfort 10 the enemy.
made reasonable effort 10 escape and was
compelled By his eapt0s uaasf legal duiess
TO sign the above proclaim alton, By tkreAts
oi violence in ease he REUSED "Nhils no
lreasonabls intent OF oTeFt aot ID established
against the accused By oompstsnt ssiisacs,
~ d 0ee. Ohanse, s'it, however, remains 10 !
bs remarked that ii 10 the da,y si every
Amsricaa collier 10 lace impsndisg danger
sf SesiA ralhsF than sign Q trsasonsble |
proeiam liion, svsa Il % BE- prepared, e Wa |
ne oas "a ths ease, b. the sassny. Nor
'hoald ~ d}any eshsr sss that might have
'ssa sssmIas u sisiaE ths sasml sasaar.
,gemsnL Tks uns sol.llsf nos oaly takss /
4s rlska II bs,lls. baf sil ekhsr rlsas q In i
,rouing uat ofHnY snd sll iari.isals a uar.
ed asespts ~ uAaaes 81 he 90 ds1ln /
siAsr has IA aashs - isiars IN eoaszrys I
ansa g ds1nnor N ualarn 10 ue.xzp
xn4 m1IIf1EY eomwl1sl1a nunl Nrsl.IsF