WOODS, DECEMBER 10, 1902

D.

This is to certify that while on duty at Banate, stationed as acting assistant surgeon, U. S. Army, during the first half of November, 1900, one Augustine de le Pena, a native, was a prisoner there in solitary confinement under military authority proximately one week.

He was suspected of using his influence and the Catholic churches in the Visayas in causing and sustaining insurrection against the United States Government; in fact, supposed to be the head of the insurrection in Visayas in disguise.

Because of having knowledge of Spanish, the commanding officer, Capt. C. M. Brownell, of the Twenty-sixth Infantry, U. S. Volunteers, requested me to take him to the hospital to examine him, give him necessary medical treatment, and interrogate him on the lines of the above-mentioned suspicions. His request was complied with. On physical examination I found him very corpulent, about 45 years of age, large abdomen and small legs, giving evidence of having lived a very sedentary life, with a weak and rapid pulse.

The treatment given him was a glass of malted milk. On interrogation he denied having any relations with the insurrection, and claimed to be a friend to the American Government.

His condition and denials of relation to the insurrection in any way were reported to him.

The prisoner was returned to his place of confinement under guard.

About 10 a. m. of the same day he was given water by soldiers of the U. S. Army, I was ordered verbally by the commanding officer, Capt. C. M. Brownell, to be present at the administration of the water and to see that the prisoner was not seriously injured or killed by the administration of water, and when the administration of the water had reached a point of danger to stop it.

I was present at the administration of water sufficiently frequent to see that it was not pushed to the point dangerous to life and health.

It was found that it was necessary to give him a great amount, as he became excited and confessed to a knowledge of the whereabouts of insurrecto funds, and gave orders and checks for $20,000, more or less, Mexican currency, on the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, Banco Espanol, and Hoskyn & Co., all of Iloilo, when he was returned to his place of confinement, which was the same as was used for placing soldiers in military confinement.

I saw him the same afternoon when he appeared to be suffering no ill effects from having taken water cure in the morning.

I was ordered to see him by the commanding officer about 8 p. m. of the same day. When I arrived in a few minutes after receiving the order I found him dead.

The commanding officer was furnished a certificate of death to the effect that the cause of death was due to fatty infiltration of the heart.

It is believed that confinement and the anxiety over his situation had much to do with hastening his death.

The officers present at the post were Capt. C. M. Brownell, Twenty-sixth Infantry, U. S. Volunteers, commanding post; Captain Butts, Eighteenth Infantry, U. S. Army; Second Lieutenant Sullivan, Twenty-sixth Infantry; Second Lieutenant Worthington, Twenty-sixth Infantry, U. S. Volunteers, post adjutant.

The checks and orders were written and signed by the said Augustine de la Pena in the presence of Capt. C. M. Brownell, Captain Butts, and myself. I believe they were payable to the judge-advocate, Department of the Visayas, Iloilo, P. I.

O. W. Woods,
Contract Surgeon, U. S. Army.
Iloilo, Panay, P. I., December 10, 1902.