Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-01-04
INVITES D TREASON
Remarkable Document Issued
By Deserters From American
Army In Philippines.
Proclamation Promising Life OF
Luxury and Ease for the
Deserter.
American Prisoners Probably
Coerced Into SiEnins Papers
..Venezuela Situation.


partment has received from the Phil
ippines copies OF remarkable procla-
nation signed with the names of nine
Americans. seven of them stated as be-
ing in the military service, and invit-
ing American soldiers to desert and
doin the ranks Of the Filipino soldiery.
The text Of the document follows:
.sro whom It may concern: Dear
fellow countrymenAfter many months
among the Filipino people. studying
their customs and character, we. the
undersigned, have come to the oonclus-
ION 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 continuation of fighting these
people, who are defending their country
against cruel American invasion in
the same manner in which our fore
fathers did against England in those
giorius days of our grand and noble
liberator Gen. George Washington.
Since the day we We're led by our con-
science and presented ourselves to Phil
appine authorities we have received the
best treatment and are enjoying life
Of luxury without having put ourselves
In danger as do you. who still remain in
the American ranks fighting for an un-
Just cause, which sooner or later must
surely prove disastrous, as 1t did to
Spain, Notwithstanding they knew the
country and customs of the people bet
ter than Americans 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 authorities as we did, there
by showing yourselves to be true Ameri-
cans, upholding the policy Of Washing
ton and the Monroe doctrine against
the ambitious policy of President Nc
Kinley, who for two years has carried
on this cruel war. spilling the innc
cent blood of thousands of American
soldiers, and with what object? To
an the pockets OF Mark Hanna and sew
eral other American capitalists who
have been for years and are now ruling
America today, or In other words,
changing your blood for gold and rob-
bing many a. loving mother or wife of
SON or husband. thereby making many
once happy homes sad and miserable.
Before we close let US tell you that near
every town there is 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 1t is best to hide
It In secure place, and after you have
presented yourself, inform the Filipino
officer or chief of the guerilla 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 most sincerely,
(Signed)
.HARRY HoRAL ALMAN.
Company K.
sJoHN BLAKE,
'Trumpeter Co. B. 2sth q. s. Inf'y.
FRANK L. CLARK,
Go. F, 21st U. S. Infantry.
u. THOMAS CRIDER,
Corporal, ssth u. S. Volunteers.
~CHARLES BUCHANAN,
Company B, 2sth u. S. Volunteers.
~HARRY RICHTER,
18th U. s. Artillery.
CHARLES WRIGHT,
Hospital Corps.
sFITZHuGH SMITH.
JOHN RYAN, Fourth Regiment"
Crfder. one OF the sIgners. was tried
recently by the military commission in
the Philippines on the charge of treason
and the records OF the court martial
haEe just been received at the war
department. The preponderence of
proof, said General Chaffee in review
ing the case. was IN favor OF the con-
tcntion Of the accused that he was held
by insurgents as a prisoner and took
no part in operations against the Uni
ted States, gave no aid or comfort to
the enemy. made reasonable effort
to escape and was compelled by his
captors, under legal duress, to sign the
above proclamation, by threats of vi
olence In case he refused. The military
commission found Crider guilty of the
charge Of treason and sentenced him to
confinement at hard labor for life, but
General Chaffee, because of the absence
of conclusive proof that the accused
had committed an overt act (such as
being necessary to consumate the
technical offense of treason) disap-
proved of the sentence and ordered the
prisoner set at liberty.
REEtIsE To GIVE Up OFFICE