POTTS, DECEMBER 1, 1902

Headquarters Division of the Philippines,
Office of the Inspector-General,
Malabang, Mindanao, P. I., December 1, 1902.

The Adjutant-General, Division of the Philippines,
Manila, P. I.

Sir: I have the honor to submit a report of an investigation made in compliance with the following letter:

HEADQUARTERS DIVISION OF THE PHILIPPINES,
Manila, P. I., November 19, 1902.

Maj. Ramsay D. Potts, Inspector-General, Manila, P. I.

Sir: The major-general commanding directs that you make an immediate investigation as to whether the water cure was administered to Father Agustin de la Pena, a parish priest of Dumangas, a town in the island of Panay, about midway between Iloilo and Banate. It is supposed to have been given him at Banate. It is stated that the result was the death of Father Pena, and he was buried on the parade ground at Banate, in December, 1900.

Chaplain George D. Rice, Twenty-seventh Infantry, and Lieut. H. E. Comstock, Twenty-seventh infantry, are supposed to be cognizant of the facts. Forward report without delay direct to these headquarters, making investigation, as far as possible, confidential.

Very respectfully,

H. O. S. Heistand, Adjutant-Central.

Chaplain George D. Rice, Twenty-seventh Infantry, was first interrogated. The allegation having been fully explained to him, he stated, in answer to questions, that he was stationed at Tigbuaun [Tigbauan], Panay, in the month of December, 1900, as an officer of the Twenty-sixth Infantry, U. S. Volunteers, and that he had never heard of the case in question, or one similar to it; that he did not know Father Augustine, or that he was parish priest of Dumangas, Panay, and to the best of his recollection had never seen him; that he did not know who was the parish priest of Dumangas at or about the time alleged; he denied absolutely having any knowledge, directly or indirectly, of the application of the "water cure" to Father Augustine at Banate, Panay, or elsewhere, at the time alleged, or to any other priest; that he did not know that Father Augustine, or any other priest, had died from that or other cause at Banate, Panay, or vicinity, at or about time alleged, and that he had never heard of Father Augustine or any other priest being buried on the parade ground at Banate. Chaplain Rice later submitted a brief certificate embodying the statements made by him, which is hereto appended, marked "A." He was informed that the case under investigation, and his evidence in regard to it, were to be regarded as strictly confidential.

First Lieut. H. E. Comstock, Twenty-seventh Infantry, was then interrogated. The nature of the allegation having been fully explained to him, he stated as follows, in answer to questions: That he was stationed at Dumangas, Panay, during the months of July, August, and September, 1900, having been sent there in command of a detachment after the town was captured and burned; that the town was in ruins; that there was no priest or natives there when he arrived or during his occupation of it; that Father Augustine was known as a large land owner as well as padre of Dumangas; that he was in league with the insurrection and was with the insurgent forces, but that he never saw him. Lieutenant Comstock absolutely denied having any knowledge, directly or indirectly, of the application of the "water cure" to Father Augustine or any other priest at Banate, Panay, or elsewhere at or about time alleged; that he knows nothing of the death of Father Augustine or other priest from that or other causes, or the burial of Father Augustine or other priest on the parade grounds at Banate; that he was never at Banate, and knows nothing, and had never heard anything regarding the case under investigation. Lieutenant Comstock later submitted a summary of his evidence in the form of a certificate, which is hereto appended, marked "B." He was informed that the matter under investigation and his evidence in regard to it was to be regarded as strictly confidential.

Iloilo, Panay, P. I., December 10, 1902.

Having been directed in telegraphic instructions to confer with the department commander on arrival at Iloilo, Brig. Gen. F. D. Baldwin, U. S. Army, was informed of this fact and requested to furnish any evidence he had touching the matter under investigation, or to suggest any sources from which information could be obtained. He stated that he personally knew nothing in regard to it, never having heard of it until about two weeks previous, when an official communication was received from division headquarters on the subject. He states that the bishop of the province had been interviewed on the subject a short time before, and notes taken of his statements. A copy was obtained from the adjutant-general and is hereto appended, marked "C." It is of no interest further than showing that the ecclesiastical governor and acting bishop at the time has no knowledge of the transaction. The name of Contract Surg. O. W. Wood, U. S. Army, having been furnished the inspector-general of the department as one likely to know something, and he being at the present time on duty at Iloilo, he was sent for and interviewed. He had already been questioned by Lieut.

Col. F. A. Smith, inspector-general of the department, and had prepared a written statement of the facts within his knowledge. This statement, considerably amplified after his examination, is hereto appended, marked "D," in the form of a certificate.

Dr. Wood states further that he was present at the administration of water to Father de la Peņa, in compliance with verbal instructions of his commanding officer, Capt. C. M. Brownell, Twenty-sixth Infantry, U. S. Volunteers, in his capacity as medical officer, to see that Father de la Peņa was not seriously injured or killed by it; that he believed the order was a legal one, and that he had no further connection with the transaction. He also stated that the soldiers who administered the water were not acting under his orders, that he had no authority to interfere or prevent it, however much he may have disapproved of the proceedings, and that he complied literally with his orders, and stopped it before the life or health of the father was apparently endangered. I believe Dr. Wood acted in good faith and has fairly stated his connection with the transaction. Inasmuch as the inspector-general of the department is at present making an exhaustive investigation of this matter, especially in regard to the disposition of the funds alleged to have been given up by Father de la Peņa, and being under hurry orders to return to Manila, I left it in his hands.

Very respectfully,

R. D. Potts,
Major of Artillery, Inspector-General.