The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1900-192?, 1902-01-08
PREFER DEATH
TO DISHONOR
General Chaffee Tells of the
Duty Of a Soldier.
A QUEER INCIDENT
Nine American Soldiers Sign Paper Ask
ing Their Comrades to Desert and
Join the Filipinos.
A QUEER INCIDENT

clamation, 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
pino soldiery. The text of the docu-
ment is as follows:
''To Whom 1t May Concern:
Dear Fellow Countrymen-After
many months among the Filipino peo-
pie studying 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 will see the folly of continu-
ing to fight 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,
George Washington.
"Since the day when we were led
by our conscience to present our
selves to the Filipino authorities we
have received the best of treatment,
and are enjoying a life of luxury with
out having to put our lives in danger,
as you do who still remain in the
American ranks fighting for an I'M
just 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 Ameri-
cans do.
For the 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 authori
ties as we did, thereby showing your
selves to be true Americans, uphold
ing the policy of Washington and the
Monroe doctrine against the ambi-
tious policy of President Mckinley,
who for two years has carried on this
cruel war, splitting the innocent blood
of thousands of American forces, with
what object? To fill the pockets of
Mark Hanna and several other Ameri-
can capitalists, who have been for
years and are now ruling America,
or in other words changing your blood
for gold, and thereby robbing many
loving mother or wife of son or hus-
band, and making many once happy
homes sad and miserable.
Before we close, let us tell you
that near every town there are al
ways stationed forces of Filipino
troops to whom, should you desire,
you can present your services, with
or without your rifles. And to avoid
danger it is best to hide the rifle in a
secure place, and after you have pre-
scented yourself, inform the Filipino
officer or chief of the guerillas, and
they will recover it and pay you
money in return.
with this we conclude, wishing
you the best of fortune. We remain
yours most sincerely,
Harry Horal Altman, Co. K.
John Blake, trumpeter Co. B, 28th
U. S. infantry.
Prank L. Clark, Co. F. 21st U. S.
infantry.
81. Thomas Kreder, corporal 3Sth
U. S. V.
Charles Buchanan, Co. B, 2Sth U.
S. V.
Harry Richter, 9th U. S. artillery.
Charles Wright, hospital corps.
: "Fitzhugh Smith.
John Ryan, 4th regiment"
John 7. Kreder, one of the signers
of the proclamation, was tried re-
Gently by the military commission in
the Philippines on charge of trea
son, and the records of the court mar
tial have just been received a the
war department. The preponderance
OF proof, said General Chaffee, in re-
viewing 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 the operations
against the United States, gave no aid
and comfort to the enemy, maie rea
sonable efforts to escape, ani was
compelled by his captors under legaI
duress to sign the above proclamation
by threats of violence in case he re
fused.
I
overt act is established against the
accused by competent evidence" said
General Chaffee, 'it, however re
mains to be remarked that it is the
duty of an American soldier to face
the impending danger of death rather
than to sign reasonable proclama'
ton, even after it had been prepared
as the one in this case was, by the
enemy. Nor should he do any other
act that might even seem to give the
enemy encouragement. true sol
der not only takes the risk of battle
but all other risks of life growing out
OF any and all incidents of the war
and accepts the chance OF life or
death rather than do aught to injure