The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-01-05
nine WROTE TREASON
WAR DEPARTMENT GETS COPIES
OF A QUEER DOCUMENT ISSUED
In PHILIPPINES
SOLDIERS URGED TO DESERT
Signed by American Soldiers. but
Evidence of Undue Pressure Is in
the LaudatOry Tone of the
Proclamation.

partment has received from the Philip
pines, copies of a remarkable proclama-
ton 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 Filipino soldiery
The text of the document is as follows:
TIC Whom 1t May Concern-Dear Fellow
Ccuntrymen: After many months among
the Filipino people, studying their GUS
toms and characters. we, the under
! signed, 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 con-
tInUation of fighting these people who
are defending their country against the
cruel American invasion in the same
manner in which our forefatbers did
| against England in those glorious DAYS
OF our grand and noble liberator, George
| Washington
Since the day we were led by our con-
science and presented ourselves to the
Philippine authorities we have received
the best of treatment and are enjoying
a life of luxury without having to put
our lives in danger as you do, 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 americans do.
For above mentioned reasons and also
that the war soon may 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 yourselves to he true
Americans, upholding the policy OF
Washington and the Monroe doctrine
against the ambitious policy of President
Mckinney, who for two years has car
Iied on this cruel war, spilling the lnno-
cent 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 Amer
lea today, or in other words, changing
your blood for gold and robbing many a
loving mother or wife of son or Husband
merely making many once Happy home
sad and miserable
Before we close let us tell you that
near 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.
ana to avoid danger it is best to hide
1t In secure place and after YOU have
presented yourself, inform the L .iipino
otLcer or chief of the guerriIIas and they
Will recover 1t any pay you some money
in return
With this we conclude, wishing YOU the
best of fortune. We remain yours most
sincerely,
Harry HoraI Aiman,
John Blake
Trumpeter, Company B, 26th U. S. In
fantry.
Frank L. Clark,
Company F, 21st U. S. /.
j. Thomas Krider.
Corporal, 3Stn U. S. V.
Charles Buchanan,
Company B. 18th U. S. ".
Harry Richter,
6tn U. S. -4rJn- cry.
Charles Wright
-Fitzhugh Smith
4th Regiment
kreider Tried and Acquitted
John T. Kreider. one of the signers of
this proclamation, was tried recently by
military commission in the Philippines
on charge of treason, and the records
OF the .court-martial have just been re-
ce1ved at the war department The pre-
ponderance Of proof, said Gen Chaffee,
In reviewing 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 operations against the
United States, gave no aid and comfort
10 the enemy, made rea Sonable effort to
escape, and was compelled by his captors
under illegal duress to signe the above
proclamation by threats of violence in
case he refused.
w uiie no unreasonable intent or OVert
act Is established against the accused by
competent evidence" said Gen. Chaffe..
1t, however, remains to be remarked
that it is the duty of every American sol
der to face impending danger of death
rather than to sign reasonable procIa-
nation, even if it be prepared as was the
one IN this case, by the enemy. Nor
should he do any other act that might
have even seeming of giving the enemy
encouragement. The true soldier not only
takes the risks of battle, but all other
risks OF life growing out of any and all
incidents of war, and accepts the chance
OF life or death rather than do aught to
lnJure his ceuntrys cause or disho1or
the uniform he wears
Inc military commission found Kreidnr
guilty Of the charge Of treason, and SEN
fenced him to confinement at hard iaoor
for life, but Gen. Chaffee because of the
absence of conclusive proof that the ac-
cused had committed an overt act such
an act being necessary to consumnlate
the technical offense of treason. disap-
proved the sentence and ordered the pris-
oner set at liberty