The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-01-05
American Soldiers in Filipinos'
Ranks say They Were Forced
to Do So.
LETTER PREDICTS DISASTER.
Tells How DeSrrterS Can Find
Chance To Give Themselves
Up. and Promises Good
Treatment.

Washington. Jan. 4-The War Depart
mont has received frcm the Philippines
copies of a remarkable proclamation.
signed with the names of nine Americans
seven Of them stated as being in the
United States military STRENGTHENING
American soldiers to desert and join the
| ranks of the Filipino soidiery. The text of
the document is as fellows:
"To Whom 1t May Conccrn:
Dear ELECTROMAGNETIC 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 lis to break
the silence and let YOU know the real truth
50 that you will see the folly of continual
ton of fighting these people. who are de-
Tending 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. General George Washing
ton.
Letter Predicts Disaster.
Since the day We We're led by our con-
science and presented ourselves to the
Philippine authorities We have received the
hest Of treatment and We are enjoying 4
life of luxury without having to put our
lives in danger as do you. who still remain
in the American ranks fighting for an I'M
just cause. which. sooner or later. must
surely prove disastrous. as it cid to the
Spanish. Notwithstanding that they knew
the country and customs of the people bet
ter than the Americans do.
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 il in a secure
nldpa and nftar N-,tt ha,a -,nEnr-,I ,-1,,r
self inform the Filipino officer or chief of
guerillas. and they VIII recover 1t and pay
you some money In return.
With this We conclude, wishing you the
best of fortune We remain yours. sim
cerely,
General ChnEee's Opinion.
The document was signed by Harry Horal
Altman. Company X: John Blake. trumpet
er. Company b. Twenty-eighth United
states Infantry; Frank l.. Clark. Company
r, Twenty-first United States Infantry: j.
Thomas kreider. Corporal. Thirry-eishtn
United States Volunteers: Charles Ruch-
anan. Company E. Twenty-eighth United
States Volunteers; Harry Richter, Sixth
United States Artillery: Charles Wright.
Hospital Corps: Fitzhugh smith and John
Ryan. Fourth Regiment.
John T. kreider, one of the signers OF
this proclamation. was tried recently hy
q military commission in the Philippines on
a charge OF treason. and the records of the
have just been received at
the War Department. The preponderance
of proof, said General Chaffee. in reviewing |
the case. was in favor of the contention
of the accused that he was held bv the
insurgents as . prisoner and took no part
in operations against the United States;
gave no aid and comfort TO the enemy:
made reasonable effort to escape, and was
compelled by his captors under legal du-
ress to sign the above proclamation, by
threats of violence IN case he refused.
Thinks F~iIipinOs Wrote Letter.
While no reasonable intent or overt act
Is established against the accused by COM
petent evidence" said General Chaffee. lit.
remains 10 be remarked that it is
the duty of ;Ie American soldier to face
impending danger of death rather than sign
. reasonable proclamation. even if it be
as was the one in this case. by
the enemy. Nor should he do any other act
That might have even a senlbiance of CIV
ing the enemy Encouragement The true
soldier not only takes The risks of battle.
but all ether risks OF life growing out of
my and all incidents of war. and accepts
he chance of life or death rather than do
,uGht to injure his country's cause or dis
honor the uniform he wears"
The military commission found kreider
guilty of the charge of treason and SEN
enced him to confinement at hard labor
or life, but General Chaffee. because of the J.
absence of conclusive proof that the ac-
used had committee an overt act (such an
let being necessary to consummate the
echnical offenSe of treason. disapproved |,
he sentence and ordered the prisoner set at
liberty.