The age-herald., 1902-01-05
URGE AMERICANS
 ID DESERT ARMY
IreaSonable Document Receiv-
 ed at War Department
ISSUED IN THE PHILIPPINES
1t Asks the Americans to Leave the U. g. Army and Join the Filipino Forces-Signed by Several
 United States Soldiers.

Washington, January 4.-The War De- partment has received from the Philip pines copies of a remarkable proclama- tion signed with the names of nine Americans-seven of them stated as be- ing in the United States military service inviting American soldiers to desert and to join the ranks of the Filipino soldiers The text of the document IS as follows:
 Dear Fellow Countrymen-After many months among the Filipino people, study ing their customs and characters. we, the undersigned, have corce to the con clusion that the time has arrived for us to break the silence and let you know the real truth so that you vii see the folly of fighting these people who are defend- ing their country against the cruel Amer teen invasion in the same manner in which our forefathers did against Eng land in those glorious days of our grand snd noble liberator, General George Washington.
 Received Good Treatment.
 Since the day we were led by our con science and presented ourselves to the Philippine authorities we have received the best treatment and we are enjoying a life of luxury without having to put our lives in danger as you. who still re- main 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 peo- pie better than the Americans do.
 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, and to avoid danger 1t Is best to hide 1t in a secure place and after you have presented yourself, inform the Filipino officer or chief of the guerillas, and they will recover it and pay you some money in return.
 With this we conclude, wishing you the best fortune.
 We remain yours most sincerely,
 (SignedD
 Harry floral Alman. Company K; John Blake, trumpeter, Company B, Twenty-eighth United States Infantry; Frank L. Clark, Company F. Twenty first United States Infantry; J. Thomas Kreider, Corporal Thirty-eighth United States Volunteers; Crales Buchanan, Company B. Twenty eighth United States Volunteers; Harry Richter, Sixth United States Artillery; Charles Wright, Hos pital Corps; Fitzhugh Smith, John Ryan. Fourth Regiment"
 Was Tried for Treason.
 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 received at the War Department. The preponder- ance of proofs, said General 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 the operations against the United States; that he gave no aid or comfort to the enemy; that he made req sonable effort to escape, and was com pelled by his captors, under legal duress, to sign the above proclamation by threats of violence in case he refused
 While no reasonable intent or overt act is established against the accused by competent evidence" said General Chaf- fee, 'it however, rem aims to be remark ed that 1t Is the duty of every American soldier to face impending danger of death rather than sign reasonable proclama- ton, even if 1t be prepared as was the one in this case. by the enemy. Nor should he do any other act that might have even a 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 injure his country's cause or dishonor the uniform he wears.
 The military commission found Kreider guilty of the charge of treason and sen fenced him to confinement at hard labor for life, but General Chaffee, because of the absence of the conclusive proof that the accused had committed an overt act (such an act being necessary to consum- mate the technical offense of treason) disapproved the sentence and ordered the | prisoner set at liberty.