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fleet that had started for the Philippines! This question is easily answered. It will have not effect beyond possibly hurrying up the landing of troops in the suburbs of Manila and preparing for a general attack on the city. Not that any time would be lost as it is, but that the news will cheer the officers and men to greater effort. Unless orders from Washington to the contrary come, there will be no time lost in getting things into such shape that the land forces can co-operate with the fleet for the early capturing
of Manila.
I have just heard that reports have been sent to Hongkong of great sickness among the Ameri- can troops. Let me say that aside from a few cases of diarrhoea, fever, prickly heat, and measles (isolated), numbering in all not over 50 among 6,000 men, there is no serious illness. I have been around through all the regiments and know whereof I speak. In fact I am surprised that there is not more illness.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY RESS AND
ing for the personal luxury and extravagant ostentation which make it crooked, heavy, and torpid in its movements, a more modest, simple, and expeditious public service, I decree as follows:-
CHAPTER 1—OF THE REVOLUTIONARY
GOVERNMENT.
Art. I.--The Dictatorial Government shall henceforth be styled the Revolutionary Govern- meut, its object being to strive for the in- dependence of the Philippines until the free nations including the Spanish shall expressly recognise it, and to prepare the country for the establishment of a true Republic.
The Dictator shall henceforth be styled the President of the Revolutionary Government.
Art. II. There shall be established four Government Departments, oue of Foreign Affairs, Marine, and Commerce. one of War and Public Works, one of Police, Internal Order, Justice, Education, and Health, and one of Finance, Agriculture, and Manufacturing Industry. The number of Departments may be increased when circumstances so require,
Art. III The Departments to assist the President in the despatch of public bussiness. CONSUL WILLIAM'S VIEW OF THE Each Department to be presided over by a
PROCLAMATION BY AGUINALDO.
AN EXTRAORDINARY DOCUMENT.
SITUATION.
THE INSURGENTS REPULSED.
Hongkong, 23rd July. During the last two days we have had no lack of news from Manila. On Thusday morn. ing the German steamer Wuotan arrived with a heavy mail; on the evening of 'the same day another German steamer-the Petrarch- brought more letters, and yesterday at noon the Japanese cruiser Akitsushima followed suit. There are apparently no fresh develop ments. Fifteen hundred of the new troops have been landed between Manila and Carite, and the Boston and Callao lie close at hand so that their services would be at once forthcoming if the troops were attacked. Captain Lamberton, of the Olympia, is on the sick list.
a
The news with regard to the Insurgents is not such as will give satisfaction to the authori- ties at Washington. There are more divisions in their ranks than ever, and in consequence it is not surprising to learn that they hare experi- enced several repulses latterly. They have been driven back south of Malate towards Cavite and have lost a few miles of territory there. As the result of a brush with the Spaniards on Saturday night 15 of the Insurgents were wounded. They were taken to the camp of the Californian men for treatment. Aguinaldo seems to be in fair way of losing the good opinion formed of him at the opening of the campaign and held for some time after by his American allies. His successes have to some extent turned his head, and he has begun to act as though when the Spaniards have been driven out of the Philippines he is to be lord and master of the whole archipelago. It would be woll if he and his compatriots would listen to the advice of those who have their welfare at heart. Consul Williams, who has done all he can to guide him aright, writes to Consul-General Wildman as follows:-"If Aguinaldo could comprehend the
United States of America he would at once become subordinate, hoist our flag, and look to us for honour and emolument, which would be liberal and lasting, and be followed by the largest measure of solid advantage to his people."
Secretary.
[July 30,-1898.
Art XV.-The functions of the Congress are to guard the general interests of the Philippine nation and the observance of Revolutionary laws, to debate and approve before ratification treaties and loans, and to examine and approve the bud get presented annually by the Financial Secre-. tary as well as extraordinary taxation.
Art, XVI.-The Congress shall be heard in all gravo matters when time permits, but the President of the Government may settle those of an urgent character, informing the Congress by means of a message of the steps taken.
Art. XVII.-Any member of Congress may introduce Bills, as also may the Secretaries of State by order of the President of the Government.
Art. XVIII.-Sessions of Congress to be open except under exceptional circumstances, when secret sessions may be held.
Art. XIX.-Standing orders to be observed. The President of the Chamber to preside, but. not to vote except when there is an equality of votes, when he shall have a casting vote.
Art. XX. The President of the Government' shall not in any way impede the meeting of Congress or embarrass the Sessions.
Art. XXI.-Congress to appoint a Judicial Committee with appeal jurisdiction and jurisdic- tion over certain public officers.
Art. IV. Provides for the division of the Department of Foreign Affairs into Sub-depart-gress there shall be kept a Book of Honour in
ments.
Art. V. Makes similar provisions with regard to the War Department.
Art. VI-The other Departments to be sub-divided according to the requirements of the service.
Art. VII. The Secretary to be responsible for the work of his Department in conjunction Each with the President of the Government. sub-department to be presided over by its own head with a sufficient staff.
Art. VIII-The President will nominate of his own free choice the Secretaries of State, and in agreement with the latter the sub- ordinates of each department, Favouritism is nevertheless to be avoided it being understood that the good name of the country and the success of the Revolution require the services of the most competent persons.
Art IX-The Secretaries of State are to assist in the Revolutionary Congress, may make motions in the name of the President and mar be questioned by any of the Representatives, but shall not take part in any division upon such motion or upon the subject upon which they have been questioned.
Art. X.-The President of the Government is the personification of the Philippine. nation and in this sense is accountable" "to no one while exercising his office. This shall continue until the Revolution succeeds, unless he should be compelled by extraordinary circumstances before that to present his resignation to the Congress, in which case the latter shall elect whomsever they shall deem most capable.
CHAPTER II-OF THE REVOLUTIONARY
CONGRESS.
Art. XI.-The Revolutionary Congress is the reunion of the representatives of the provinces of the Philippine Archipelago, elected in the form provided in the decree of the 18th inst. If any province is unable to elect a representative owing to the greater part of it not having been delivered from Spanish domination, the Govern- ment may nominate provisional representatives for such provinces.
Art. XII-Upon the Representatives assem- bling at the seat of Government and in the build- ing appointed for the purpose they shall elect by a majority of votes a committee of fire to examine the qualifying documents of each member, and another committee of three to examine the documents of the members of the first named
committee.
Art. XIII-On the following day the Re- presentatives shall again meet to consider the reports of the two committees and shall decide by a majority of votes the character of doon
They shall then ments reported doubtful. proceed to the election of a President, Vice- President, and Secretaries of the Chamber.
THE PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION.
Decrees have been issued by Aguinaldo estab- lishing a constitution for the Philippines and ordering the insignia of the various public officers. The provisions on the latter point will perhaps present themselves in rather an amus. ing light to the admirers of the straightforward and dignified simplicity of George Washington, whom Aguinaldo might fittingly bave taken as his model in his attempts to establish a republic. The following precis of two of the decrees has been made for the Daily Press -- Don EMILIO AGUINALDO FAMY, President of
the Revolutionary Government of the Philip deliberates is sacred and inviolable, and no Art. XIV. The place in which the Congress pines and General-in-Chief of the Army. This Government being desirous to demon-armed force shall be introduced unless re- trate to the Philippine nation that one of its ends is to combat with a firm hand the inveterate vices of the Spanish Administration, substitut
quested by the President of the Chamber for the re-establishment of internal order when disturbed by disorderly members.
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Art. XXII-In the Secretariat of the Con-
which shall be recorded eminent services rendered to the country and so recognised by Congress. Any Philippino, military or civil, may petition Congress to have his name re- corded in the said book, presenting at the same time the documents establishing what he has done for the good of the country since the commencement of the present Revolution. For extraordinary services rendered hereafter the Government will propose the entries.
com.
Art. XXIII.—Congress shall also grant on the proposition of the Government pensation to the families of those who have fallen victims to duty and patriotism.
Art. XXIV. The resolutions of Congress shall not be effective until confirmed by the When the President of the Government. President considers any resolution inexpedient he shall explain to Congress his reasous, and if Congress still insists he may reto the re- solution under the most strict responsibility.
CHAPTER III-MILITARY JUSTICE, Art. XXV. to XXX.-Provide a cede of military justice.
ADDITIONAL CLAUSES,
Art. XXXI-The Government shall estab- lish abroad a Revolutionary Committee com- posed of an undetermined number of the most competent persons of the Philippine Archipel
This Committee shall be divided into ago." three Delegations, one of Diplomacy, one of Marine, and one of the Army. The Diplomatic Delegation shall negotiate with foreign Govern- ments the recognition of Philippine belligerancy and independence. The Marine Delegation shall organise the Philippine Navy and prepare the expeditions that the necessities of the The Army Delegation Revolution demand, shall study military tactics and the best form of organising the various corps of the Philippine army,
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Art. XXXII-The Government shall issue the necessary instructions for the execntion of the present decree.
Art. XXXIII.-Abrogates previous decrees inconsistent with the present.
Done at Cavite, 23rd June, 1898.
EMILIO AGUINALDO,
DON EMILIO AGUINALDO Y FAMY, President of the Revolutionary Government of the Philippines and General-in-Chief of the Army.
In conformity with the provisions of the decree of this Government dated 23rd June last and the instructions accompanying it I order as follows:-
Art. I.-Appoints Senor Don Baldomero Aguinaldo Secretary for War and Public Works, Senor Don Leandro Ibarra Secretary of the Interior, etc., and Senor Don Mariano Trias Secretary of Pince, etc. The functions connected with Foreign Affairs, Marine, and Commerce will be provisionally attached to the Presidency pending the appointment of the Secretary.