When General Aguinaldo arrived in Manila, however, his first adviser, Ambrosio Bautista, counseled him to drop Ponce's project to establish a revolutionary government, and instead to establish a dictatorial government. This was done

by a proclamation of General Aguinaldo on May 24, 1898. Under that proclamation the government of the revolution was to be administered by decrees promulgated upon his responsibility until the Islands "shall be completely conquered and able to form a constitutional convention and to elect a

president and a cabinet, in whose favor I will duly resign the authority." 1

41. Paterno's Plan of Autonomy under Spain. - While General Aguinaldo was busy preparing for the renewal of the struggle, Pedro A. Paterno proposed an autonomous government under Spain. He would recognize the sovereignty of Spain under a government mainly controlled by Filipinos. There were to be a Governor-General, a Philippine Legislature, and a council of government with ministerial responsibility. He asked for the Filipinos the same individual rights enjoyed in Spain. The Spanish general, it was said, would not even consider this plan, for he could not then communicate with Spain.

42. Organization of Provinces and Municipalities. — Diametrically opposed to the Paterno proposal was the plan of Apolinario Mabini, who now became the closest adviser of General Aguinaldo. General Aguinaldo had called. Mabini from his retreat to advise him on the governmental steps that should be taken during the revolution. Mabini's first suggestion was the reorganization of the provinces and municipalities.

On June 18, 1898, General Aguinaldo published a decree addressed to the Filipino people providing for the establishment of municipal and provincial governments. The decree stated that "it was the first duty of the government to interpret' faithfully the popular will," and therefore it was the wish of General Aguinaldo to be surrounded by representatives from the provinces so that he could know the true needs of the people to the end that the most speedy measures could be taken. In accordance with these provisions, the organization of the local government was effected in the provinces

1 Aguinaldo, True Review of the Philippine Revolution, Senate Document 62, page 431.

freed from Spain. On August 3, 1898, the chief officials of the provinces and municipalities under General Aguinaldo's control went to Kawit, Cavite, to take the oath of office.

By a further decree the organization of the municipal government was completed. Many important reforms were announced. The meetings of the municipal and provincial councils were declared public; the slow and complicated criminal procedure was changed; a civil registry of births, deaths, and marriages was provided for; and cockpits and gambling were entirely forbidden.

43. Establishment of the Revolutionary Government. -On June 12, 1898, the independence of the Philippines was solemnly proclaimed at Cavite, and the Philippine flag was officially hoisted. On June 23 of the same year, the dictatorial government was by a decree changed into the revolutionary government. The preamble of the decree stated that in establishing the revolutionary government it was the desire of the dictatorial government to show to the Filipino people "that one of its objects is to combat with a firm hand the inveterate vices of the Spanish administration, abolishing that personal luxury and ostentation which make for tardy and ponderous official routine, and establishing in its stead a simple and efficient though modest machinery for the execution of public affairs." The government was henceforward to be called the revolutionary government, "whose object is to struggle for the independence of the Philippines until she is recognized by the free nations of the earth."

Five departments of the government were created, those of foreign relations, war and public works, interior, finance, and fomento. The congress was to be composed of those elected under the law organizing the local government, al

though it was provided that the government could designate for the time being other persons to represent those provinces which had freed themselves from Spanish dominion, but which were yet unable to hold elections. A revolutionary committee was established abroad and divided into three units: one of diplomacy to work for the recognition of Philippine independence, another of the navy to study and organize the Philippine navy and to further the importation of arms into the Philippines, and another of the army to study the foreign system of military organization and to equip the Philippine army with all modern devices.

44. Cabinets. The first cabinet was appointed on July 15, 1898. Baldomero Aguinaldo was named secretary of war and public works; Leandro Ibarra, secretary of the interior, and Mariano Trías, secretary of finance. The presidency of the cabinet was offered to Cayetano Arellano, but upon his refusal to serve, Mabini was appointed on January 2, 1899. On May 9 of the same year Mabini resigned, and the "peace cabinet" headed by Pedro A. Paterno and Felipe Buencamino was appointed.

The Mabini cabinet met twice a week at Malolos and was presided over by Mabini himself. General Aguinaldo was not present. The result of the meetings was forwarded to General Aguinaldo for his decision.

The capital of the revolutionary government was first at Bacoor, Cavite, but later at Malolos, Bulacan.

45. Foreign Delegates. The necessity of foreign delegates had early been recognized. Felipe Agoncillo was first named as the envoy of the Filipino government. On November 23, 1898, commission was nominated to make known to the civilized world the true character of the country and the capacity of the Filipinos for government, and to ask recognition of the independence of the Philippines. Later,

on January 26, 1899, a second commission of diplomatic representatives was named.

Prominent Filipinos, with residences in Hongkong, Japan, Europe, and the United States, were designated foreign delegates. The principal diplomatic representatives were Luna, Ponce, Apacible, Del Pan, Regidor, Lozada, and Agoncillo. The last named was especially active in Paris during the meetings of the peace commissions and in the United States at the time of public interest in the Philippine question. He was never officially received by the President, but was well known to the American public for his unswerving devotion to the interests of his country, and to his countrymen for his patriotic self-sacrifices.

The instructions to these delegates were brief. They were to work according to circumstances, and much had to be confided to their tact and prudence.

46. The Revolutionary Congress. The Revolutionary Congress assembled in the church of Barasoain near Malolos, Bulacan, on September 15, 1898. Eighty-five members were present, although there were ninety-two in the list; later the number was raised to one hundred and ten.

The following description of the opening of the Revolutionary Congress at Malolos was written the day after, September 16, 1898, by Mr. F. D. Millet, one of the two foreign correspondents present:

"At the large basilica of Barasoain (Malolos) we found a large number of the delegates already assembled, and the guards drawn up to receive the expected cortège of the President and his suites. The bald interior of the church was sparsely relieved by crossed palm-leaves and wreaths fastened to the columns which divide the nave from the aisles, and on the bare spaces between the windows. In the middle of the nave were two bentwood chairs; on either side and behind