The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1902-01-04
DESERTERS
STATEMENT
WANT OTHERS TO FOLLOW THEM
INTO FILIPINO RANKS.
ENJOYING LUXURIOUS LIFE
One Soldier Sign, Treasoncble Docu-
ment While Prisoner and Was Ac-
quitted-American Soldier Should
Risk Life to Safe Honor.

(t3y Associated PreSS.)
Washing ton. Jan. 4.--The war depart
ment has received from the Philippines
copies of remarkable proclamation
signed with the names OF nine Americans,
seven of them stated as being in the
uuited States military service, inviting
American soldiers to desert and join the
ranks of the Filipino soldery. The text
OF the document Is as follows:
ITO Whom 1t May Concern: Dear
Fellow Countrymen-After many months
among the Filipino people. knowing their
customs 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 viii see the folly of the
continuation OF fighting these people,
who are defending their country against
cruel American invasion, in the same
manner as our forefathers did against
England In those glorious days of our
grand and noble llberado, General Wash
ington.
Since the day we were led by our
conscience and presented ourselves to the
Philippine authorities we have received
the best treatment and we are enjoy
ing life OF luxury, without having to
ppf our lives In danger as do you who
st'l remain In the American ranks fight
inS for an unjust cause, which sooner
Or later must surely prove disastrous,
az It did to the Spanish, notwlthstand-
Ing that they knew the country and cus-
toms OF the people better than the Amer
leans do.
Plea for Desertion.
s For the aforementioned reasons and
also that the war may end soon. we ask
the men of the American army, stationed
hi these Islands. to present themselves
TO the Philippine authorities as we did
thereby showing yourselves to be true
Americans, upholding the policy OF
Washington and the Monroe doctrine
az giinst the ambitious policy OF PresI-
O. 1t Mckinley, who for TWO years has
-c-rried on this cruel war. spilllng the
Innocent blood of thousands of American
50 iiers 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 America or, I'm other words.
Changing your blood for gold, and rob-
bing many loving mother or wife of
Son or husband. thereby making many a
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 II Is best to hide
II IN secure place, and after you have
presented yourself, inform the Filipino
officer or chief Of the guerrllas and they
WIZ recover II and pay you some money
in return.
Z with this we conclude, wishing Won
the best of fortune.
we remain yours, most sincerely"
One Soldier Compelled to Sign.
John T. Kreider, one OF the signers.
was tried recently by a military com
mission In the Philippines on the charge
OF treason, and the records of the court
martial have just been received at the
war department. The preponderance of
p' oof, said General Chaffee. In review
an% the case was in favor of the conten-
ton OF the accused that he was held by
thr insurgents as prisoner and took no
part In the operations against the
united States, gave no aid and comfort
To the enemy, made reasonable efforts to
escape and was compelled by his cap
tors, under legal duress, to sign the
above proclamation by threats OF vio-
lcace in case he refused
While no reasonable intent or overt
act is brought against the accused by
competent evidence" said General Chat
fee ut remains to be remarked that il
Is the duty Of the American soldier to
race impending danger Of death rather
than sign a reasonable proclamation,
even 1t II be prepared, as was the one
In this case, by the enemy. Nor should
he do any other act that might have
even semblance of giving the enemy
encouragement.
THE true soldier not only takes the
risks OF battle. but all other risks of life
or death rather than do aught 10 iniure
ms countrys cause or dishonor the uni
form he wears"
The military court found Kreider guilty
or 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 ac-
cused had committed an overt act (such
ar act being necessary to consumate the
technical offense of treason) dlsa pproved
the sentence and ordered the prisoner set
at liberty.