Woodruff County news., 1902-01-09

l OufeSSs
 Washington, Jan. 5.-The war de partment has received from the Phil l ippines copies of remarable proc lamation, signed with the names o1 nine eAmericanS-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:
 The Proclamation. gro whom it may concern: Dear Fellow Countrymen-After many months among the Filipino people, study ing their customs and characters, we, the undersigned have come 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 will see the folly | Of continuation of fighting these people who are defending 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 hberator, Gen. 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 we are enjoy ing a life of luxury without having to put our lives in danger as do you, who still remain in the American ranks fight ing 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 aforementioned 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, thereby showing yourselves to be true fhay ,e-I, ington and the Monroe doctrine against the ambitious policy of President Me Kinley, who, for two years, has carried on this cruel war, spilling the innocent blood of thousands of American soldiers, and with what object? To fill the pockets of Mark Hanna and several other Ameri- and are now ruling America to-day, or. in other words, changing your blood for gold and robbing many a loving mother or wife of son or husband, thereby mak- ing 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 without your rifles and to avoid danger, it is best to hide it in a secure place. and after you have presented yourself inform the Filipino of ticer or chief of guerillas and they will recover it and pay you some money in return.
 With this we conclude, wishing you the best of fortune.
 We remain yours sincerely.
 [Signedl HARRY HORAL ALMAN:
 JOHN BLAKE,
 Trumpeter, Co. B, Twenty-eighth U. S.
 FRANK l.. CLARK,
 Go. F, Twenty-first U. $. infantry
 'J. THOMAS BREEDER,
 Corporal Twenty-eighth U. s. volun- teers.
 "CHARLEs BUCHANAN,
 Co. B. Twenty-eighth U. $. volunteers.
 HARRY RICHTER,
 Sixth U. S. artillery.
 --. "CHARLES WRIGHT,
 Fp'' ''FfTzHUGH SMITH.
 JOHN RYAN,
 Fourth regiment"
 How Gen. Chaffee Views It.
 John T. Kreider, one of the signers of this proclamation, was tried re- gently by military commission in the Philippines on a charge of treason, have just been received at the war de partment. The preponderance of proof, said Gen. Chaffee, in review ing the case, was in favor of the con- tention 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 to the enemy, made reasonable effort to escape and was compelled, by his captors, under duress to sign the above proclama- tion, by threats of violence, in ease he refused "While no reasonable intent or overt act is established against the accused by competent evidence," said Gen. Chaffee, ''it, how ever, remains to be remarked that is the duty of the American soldier to face impending danger of death rath- CT than sign reasonable proclama- tion, even if it be prepared, as was the one in this case, by the enemy. Nor should he do any other act that ing 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 in jure his country's cause or dishonor the uniform he wears"
 The military commission found Kreider guilty of the charge of trea- son and sentenced him to confine- ment at hard labor for life, but Gen Chaffee, because of the absence ot conclusive proof that the accused had committed an overt act (such an act being necessary to consummate the technical offense of treason), dis approved the sentence and ordered the prisoner set at liberty.