The scheme of Government is set forth in the decree of June 23d, marked “D.”  An examination of this document shows that it provides a Dictatorship of the familiar South American type.  All power is centered in the President, and he is not responsible to any one for his acts.  He is declared to be “the personification of the Philippine public, and in this view cannot be held responsible while he holds office.  His term will last until the Revolution triumphs.”  He appoints not only the heads of the departments, but all their subordinates, and without reference to Congress.  This body is composed of a single Chamber of Representatives from each Province.  The election is to be conducted by an agent of the President, and the qualifications of electors are “those inhabitants most distinguished for high character, social position and honorable conduct.”

If any Province is still under Spanish rule its Representative is to be appointed by the President.  Congress is to deliberate on “all grave and transcendental questions, whose decision admits of delay and adjournment, but the President may decide questions of urgent character, giving the reasons for his decision in a message to Congress.”  The acts of Congress are not binding until approved by the President, and he has power of absolute veto.

Congress was to hold its first session at Saloles about September 28th.

While this scheme of Government is a pure despotism, yet it claims to be only temporary, and intended to “prepare the country so that a true Republic may be established.”  It also provides a rude form of governmental machinery for managing the affairs of the Provinces.  To what extent it has actually gone into operation it is difficult to say.  Aguinaldo claims, in his address of August 6th, that it is in force in fifteen Provinces, whose aggregate population is about 2,000,000.  They include the island of Mindoro and about half of Luzon.  None of those (except Cavite) have yet been visited by Americans, and all communication with them by the Spanish Government at Manila has been cut off since May 1st.

In the province of Cavite and that portion of the Province of Manila outside of the city and of its suburbs, which was occupied by the insurgent troops as well as those of the United States, their military forces, military headquarters, etc., were very much in evidence, occupying the principal houses and churches in every village and hamlet, but there were no signs of Civil Government or administration.  It was reported, however, that Aguinaldo’s agents were levying taxes or forced contributions not only in the outside villages, but (after we entered Manila) by means of secret agents, in the market places of the city itself.  At Aguinaldo’s headquarters, in Bacoor, there were signs of activity and business, and it was reported that his Cabinet officers were in constant session there.