286
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
technicalities it has not yet been divided up for sides were seats for women and spectators, while use by various departments as it is required. a goodly portion of the latter stood-and
Manila, 1st October.
Ferspired-while the ceremony lasted. I must The great event of the month was the not forget to mention that mingled in here and ratification in solemn conclave by the Revolu- there with the proceedings was music from a tionary Philippino Government of its Declara-band orchestra, and numerous blasts upon the tion of Independence on Thursday, September bugles of ambitious players. 29th. This Declaration was first promulgated at Old Cavite on August 3rd. Since then it has been fully discussed and considered by the native leaders from Aguinaldo down to the coramatta drivers in Manila until public senti- ment was deemed ripe for the grand function of formal approval by the assembled representa- tives called the Philippine Congress. As in- timated in my last letter invitations were sent out on a liberal scale and preparations were made for the greatest festival yet celebrated by the insurgents. The first train that left Manila at 6 a.m. was crowded so compactly that the locomotive had great difficulty in pulling it up the slight grade just outside of the city. The occupants of the compartments were literally packed like sardines in a box and foreigners who were not fortunate enough to get into the few first class carriages had to stand up in the second and third class sections wedged in by natives of all grades. The special train that left at 8 a.. was no less thronged, and another that went at midday carried at least a thousand visitors for the native capital of Malolos. The conditions and surroundings together with the spirit and good nature of the crowd reminded one much of the cheap excursions from London to Brighton and other seaside resorts. Arrived at Malolos we found only a limited number of coramettas for the traffic required, aud leaped the guard fence in order to charter one before they were all taken. Otherwise we would have been obliged to have walked nearly a mile along a hot dusty road.
The town was in gala attire. There were arches without limit and a nameless variety of decorations patterned and invented by the natives. Every house was adorned with miniature insurgent flags and cloths of many colours. There was no harmony, no real beanty, no charm whatever about the scene except its novelty. There was an abundance of staring, hot colour everywhere-mostly red. There was, however, more dust even than colour, and more unmitigated heat and discomfort than dust. When we came home we all agreed that it would be a blessing if we know enough to stay at home on such occasions instead of minding the imperious dictates of foolish curiosity. I said above something about "novelty," I should say there was novelty only for the man who had never before lived in the tropics or Far East. For the old resident of these parts it was the same old story. Every thing was done in the same tawdry, tinsel way that characterises all Orientals, not even ex- cepting the Japanese. Still I would not be too critical. The natives did their best. They know no better. They mean well-and we can let it go at that. As long as we accepted the hospitality of a kindly-inclined, good people we should not be harsh in describing what we saw. Perhaps I lay special stress upon it because
I fear that the same influences which cause the natives to do everything in a shoddy, showy way may cause them to provide only a shoddy, showy Government provided they are granted autonomy or independence.
When it was time for the exercises of the day to begin soldiers were lined up along the streets, and soon appeared the President, his ministers, and the members of Congress, in all about one hundred strong, accompanied by numerous other "prominent citizens," and escorted by detach- ments of soldiers including the bodyguard of Aguinaldo. They marched from the Govern- ment headquarters at the church to another similar building used for the Congress. The interior was lavishly decorated. On a dais made brilliant by combinations of colours Aguinaldo, with Pedro Paterno, the President of the Congress, on his right, and another distinguished official on his left. On the sides
was
and behinded were men fashioned and dressed like ancient Roman lictors selected from the tallest of the natives and bearing in their hands and aloft appropriate insignia. In the main portion of the building were the members of the Congress and of Commissions who had come from all over the islands to be present on this important occasion. Back of them and on the
Sr. Don Emilio Aguinaldo y Fami, President of the Philippine Revolutionary Govern ment, aroso 3000 after the meeting was called to order and delivered an address. It was not long, but it was evidently to the point and in line with the opinions of the representatives. They listened with great care and showed deep inotrest in every word spoken by their leader. Aguinaldo is far from being an orator in language or delivery, but he has a quiet, earnest, impressive style that makes one heed what he says. When he concluded Pedro Paterno took the floor and made a speech after the most improved methods of American spell binders." His voice was loud and penetrating and he used it to full advantage. He swung his arms through the air and shook his body like a Tammany Irish demagogue speaking on the Bowrey or a socialistic leader in a gathering of London's rag tag and bob tail. But he stirred his hearers, and how they did cheer! then rose, yelled for all they were worth, sat down, aud got up again to shout again and louder. Every reference to freedom, liberty, and especially in dependence, was applauded to the echo. They cheered the Declaration of Independence, Aguinaldo, the ministry, congress, the army, the government as a whole and in parts and erea the American Government, but I must tell the truth about the latter and admit that it was rather forced and lacked the spontaneity that characterized the other sentiments. Say what you will, it cannot be denied that the great cen- tral idea running through everything said and omitted at Malolos on this occasion was absolute
independence and there is just where Aguinaldo and his followers are making a fatal error.
When the programme at the congressional hall was ended, there was a procession back to the executive residence. The spectacular feature of this was a float prettily decorated, carrying a woman who was supposed to embody and re- present the principles of liberty and independ ence. There was also the new presidential coach as beautiful in its appearance and fiu'sh- ing as similar conveyances owned by other Oriental chiefs and monarchs. It was drawn by many horses guided by uniformed outriders. Aguinaldo himself did not occupy the coach but walked in democrat c style at the head of his Ministers and escorted by his bodyguard. Upon arrival at the executive mansion a grand reception was held, when generals, senators, com- missioners, and plain foreigners and newspaper
men
It may
were allowed to shake the hand of the Philippine George Washington (as the native papers call him); later there was a bountiful spread or tiffiu when numerous toasts were proposed and responded to in eloquent and fluent manner. No sentiment of importance was omitted, so everybody was happy. seem strange, but the food and wines were both good and the service not bad. Everything about the table was done well, while the recep- tion was managed on the most improved Enro- pean and American plan. Aguinaldo knows how, as the Americans say, to give the "glad hand as well as Lord Salisbury and President McKinley. Why not? At present he is very much a leader.
Throughout the afternoon, Aguinaldo con- tinued to receive his generals and the commis- sioners from various distant provinces, talking some time with each of them and hearing what they had to say with the patience and apparent interest of a popular leader. In the evening the festivities took the form of fireworks, music, and dancing. The hospitality of the residents of Malolos was particularly manifested towards the Englishmen and Americans present and all were invited to remain over night and witness the closing scenes of the ratification of Philippine Independence. A few stayed, but the majority returned to Manila satiated with celebrations. Perhaps the most amusing side of the festival to foreigners was the appearance of all ministers and members of congress in black evening dress and high black hats. It was almost grotesque
to see these dark skinned natives in the heat of mid-day marching through the streets and assem- bling in black evening dress, especially as not
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one suit in teu fitted the wearer, while the hats looked as if they had been collected from the four corners of the earth. Still I give them credit for doing their best to make an impressive appearance such as was expected at the solemn ratification of so important a measure as their Declaration of Independence. As far as they were able they played their parts to perfection and gave plain evidence that with proper coaching and education they can eventually as- sist in thegovernment of the islands to a greater degree than was first deemed possible.
In conclusion I would call attention to the significance of this event, which signifies so much to the natives of the islands and has been the chief topic of discussion for some days in Manila. It might be asked, what does Aguin aldo mean by all this when he does not know what the future may bring forth and what will be the decision of the Peace Commission. In reply it can be stated; first, if it is willed that the Islands are to be returned to the Spaniards or that the latter are in any way to exercise sovereignty, he has an organized government with which not only to systematically and vigorously combat them, but to show to the world that he and his people can govern the islands better than the Spaniards and without their assistance or co-operation and that he will fight to maintain this new government rather than ever yield to Spanish rule; second, if the Americans decide to hold the islands, he is able to ask of them first that they grant the Philippinos independence the same as they pro- mised to the Cabans, or, second, autonomy, under American protection, or, third and last, such participation in American Government as will vouchsafe protection to the rights of the na- tives and give them a say in the administration of the laws. The only threatening cloud above the horizon is that both leaders and people will become so imbued-even intoxicated—with the idea of independence by all these celebrations, proclamations, speeches, and gatherings that there will be serious difficulty in reconciling them even to American sovereignty.
LORD CHARLES BERESFORD IN
HONGKONG.
HF RECEIVES A DEPUTATION FROM THE
NAVY LEAGUE.
Lord Charles Beresford, M.P. for York, ar- rived in Hongkong by the P. and O. steamer Parramatta on the 30th Sept., accompanied by his private secretaries, Messrs. Richard H. As has been McDonald and Robin Grey. before stated, his lordship has been appointed by the Associated Chambers of Commerce in England to undertake a mission to China for the purpose of preparing a report on the pro- spects of British trade and commerce with that vast region, and particularly as to the extent to which the Chinese Government will guarantee the safe employment of British capital in the interior. The gallant Admiral, who sailed for the East with the consent and approval of the Admiralty, will be away for several months,
Lord Charles was met by Captain Laurie, A D.C. to His Excelleney Major-General Black, and by him he was escorted to Head- quarter House, he being the guest of His Ex- cellency during his short stay in the colony. He left for Shanghai in the Parramatta next day.
On Friday morning Mr: R. M. Gray, Mr, Herbert Smith, and Mr. R. C Wilcox, Chair- man, vice-Chairman, and Secretary of the Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce, waited upon his lordship and invited him to address
a public meeting in the His lordship, afternoon in the City Hall. however, expressed his deep regret that he did not feel himself at liberty until a later period to address any public meeting in China.
Subsequently Lord Charles was waited upon by a deputation from the Hongkong branch of the Navy League, consisting of Commander Hast ings, R.N. (President), Mr. J. J. Francis, Q.C., Captain Tillet, R.N.R., and Mr. R. Cooke, who had a long and interesting conversation with him as to the work of the League, with the objects of which his lordship expressed him. self to be in hearty accord.
In the evening H.E. the Acting Governor entertained a representative company to dinner. at Head-quarter House to meet Lord Charles.
A