The Savannah morning news., 1902-01-05
AMERICAN TRAITORS
,x,.,TE THEIR FELLOW SOLDIERS
TO DESERT.
ISSUED A PROCLAMATION.
,oots MUCH LIKE FILIPINO HAND
IWORK.


xoues of Nine Americans Attached
soveu BEING in the Military Ser
utce--One Was Recently Convicted
of treason and Sentenced to Hard
,ahor for Life, But Was PardOned
bv Cen. Chanee on Ground of In
.umcient Evidence-The DOcu-
mont n Most Remarkable One to
Have Been Issued by Americans.
washington. Jan. 4.-The War De-
,ar+nent has received from the Phil
;rn,nes copies of remarkable proc
,oroation. signed with the names of
nine Americans. seven of them stated
as being in the United States military
service. inviting American soldiers to
desert and join the ranks of the Fill
nino soldiery. The text of the docu-
ment is as follows:
TO WHOM 1T MAY CONCERN.
spear Fellow Countrymen:
After many months among the Fill
rino people. studying their customs and
characters, 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 contin-
uation 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
George Washington.
Since the day we were led by our
conscience (and) presented ourselves
to the Filipino 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 Amer
lean ranks fighting for an unjust cause
which. sooner or later, must surely
prove disas as it did to the Span
ish. notwithstanding that they knew
the country and customs of the peo-
pie better than the Americans do.
Appeal of the Traitors.
For above mentioned 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, upholding the
policy Of Washington and the Monroe
doctrine. against the ambitious policy
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 to-day, or,
IN other words, changing your blood for
gold and robbing many loving mother
or wife or son or husband, thereby
making many a once happy home sad
and miserable.
Before we close let us tell you that
near every town there are always sta
toned Filipino troops to whom, should
you so desire, you can present your
selves with or without your rifles, and
to avoid danger it is best to hide it in
SECURE place, and after you have pre-
sented yourself, inform the Filipino Of
ncer or chief of the guerillas, and they
VIII recover it and pay you some money
in return.
With this we conclude, wishing you
Inc best of fortune. We remain, yours
most sincerely,
Harry Horal Altman,
Company X.
John Blake,
Irumpeter, Company B, Twenty
eighth United States Infantry.
~, Frank L. Clark,
company F, Twenty-first United
States Infantry.
,,c -. Thomas Kreider,
corporal, Thirty-eighth United States
Infantry.
Charles Buchanan,
Company B, Twenty-eighth Infantry,
Volunteers.
Charley Wright,
Hospital Corps.
Harry Richter,
Sixth United States Artillery
"Fitzhuhg Smith
John Ryan,
Fourth Regiment"
The Case OF kreider.
John T. Kreider one of the signers
OF this proclamation, was recently
Iled by military commission in the
Fhlupplnes on a charge of treason and
sue records Of the court-martial have
yusl peen received at the War Depart
t'' IHe prepOnQerance OF proof
sdlu Gen. Chaifee, in reviewing the
.ese was in favor of the contention
VL W the accused that he was held by
sle insurgents as a prisoner and took
no no part in operations against the
SCnted States, gave no aid and com
eOIt 70 the enemy, made reasonable eff
t9t tgIt TO escape and was compelled by
I ,rs captors to sign the above procla-
bb.duoa' ba by threats of violence in case
me ne military commission found him
su!ty OF the charge of treason and
iLhlehced him to confinement at hard
i"oor e. Tor life, but Gen. Chaffee. be-
use or the absence of conclusive
a,0ol .. mat the accused had committed
overt act (such an act being nee
sssary to consummate the technical
Siense sae Of treason) disapproved the
at liberty. F'o''ei Se'
THE NACOOCHEE PUT BACK.
mes Broke Down After Leaving