The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-01-04
TREASON.
A Proclamation Inviting U. s.
Soldiers to Desert
And Join the Ranks of the Phil
ippine Insurgents
SIGNED BY AMERICANS.
A Copy of the Document Reach
es the War Department.
One Who Signed 1t Says He
Was Forced to DO So.
SIGNED BY AMERICANS.

ment has received from the Philippines
copies of a remarkable proclamation,
signed with the names of nine Ameri-
cans, seven of them stated as being in
the United States military service-in-
wiling American soldiers to desert and
join the ranks of the Filipino soldiery.
The text of the document is as fol-
lows:
ITO whom it may concern:
Dear Fellow Countryman:-After
many months among the Filipino peo-
pie, studying their customs and charac-
terS, we, the undersigned have come to
the conclusion that the time has arriV-
ed for us to break the silence and let
you know the real truth, so that you
will the folly of continuation of
fighting these people who are defending
their country against the cruel Ameri-
can invasion, in the same manner in
which our forefathers did against Eng
land in those glorious days of our grand
and noble HberatOr, Gen. George Wash
ington. e
''Since the day we were led by our
conscience and presented ourselves to
the Philippine authorities, we have re-
ceived the best of treatment and We
are enjoying a life of luxury without
having to put our lives in danger as do
you, 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, not
withstanding that they knew the coun-
try and customs of the people better
than the Americans do.
For above mentioned reasons, and
also that the war may soon end, we ask
the men of the American army sta
toned in these islands to present them
selves to the Philippine authorities as
we did, thereby showing yourselves 20
be true Americans, upholding the policy
of Washington and the Monroe doctrine
against the ambitious policy of Presi-
dent Mckinley, who for two years has
carried on this cruel war, Spiliing the
innocent blood of thousands of Ameri-
can soldiers, and with what object? 70
fill 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
bling many a 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,
and to avoid danger it 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 of fortune
I'VE remain sincerely, (Signed)
''HARRY HORAL ALTMAN, Co "a
JOHN BLAKE, trunipeter, Co. b,
2Sth U. S. infantry.
FRANK L. CLARK, Co. f, 21st U. S.
infantry.
81. THOMAS KREIDER, corporal,
3Sth u. S. volunteers
CHARLES BUCHANAN, Co. B, 2Sth
u. S. volunteers.
HARRY RICHTER, 9Th U. s. ar
tillery.
CHARLES WRIGHT, hospital corps.
tFITZHUGH SMITH.
JOHN RYAN, 4th regiment"
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-
ceived at the war department The
preponderance of proof, said General
Chaffee, in reviewing the case, was in
favor of the contention of the accused
that he was held by the insurgents as
prisoner and took no part in operations
against the United States, gave no aid
and comfort to the enemy, made rea-
sonable effort to escape and was COM
PEELED 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
Chaffee, lit however remains to be re-
marked that it is the duty of every
American soldiers to face impending
danger of death, rather than sign
treaSonaple procIaInduoIl, even II IL De
prepared, as was the one in this case,
by the enemy. Nor should he do any
other act that might have even q. semb
lance of giving the enemy encourage
ment. The true soldier not only takes
the risk of battle. but all other risks
of life growing out of any and all Incl
dents 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 Kref-
der guilty of the charge of treason and
sentenced him to confinement at hard
labor for life, but Gen. Chaffee. because
of the absence of conclusive proof that
the accused had committed an overt act
(such an act being necessary to con-
summate the technical offenSe of trea-
SOM disapproved the sentence and or
dered the prisoner set at liberty.