sieged the capital of Manila.

In these Provinces complete order and perfect tranquility reign,
administered by the authorities elected by the Provinces in accordance
with the organic decrees dated the 18th and 23d of June last.

The Revolution holds, moreover, about 9,000 prisoners of war, who
are treated in accordance with the customs of war between civilized
nations and humane sentiments, and at the end of the war it has more
than 30,000 combatants organized in the form of a regular army.

In this situation the chiefs of the towns comprised in the above
mentioned Provinces, interpreting the sentiments which animate
those who have elected them, have proclaimed the Independence of the
Philippines, petitioning the Revolutionary Government that will entreat
and obtain from foreign Governments recognition of its belligerency
and its independence, in the firm belief that the Philippine people
have already arrived at that state in which they can and ought to
govern themselves.

This is set forth in the accompanying documents, subscribed by the
above named chiefs.

Wherefore, the undersigned, by virtue of the powers which belong to
him as President of the Revolutionary Government of the Philippines
and in the name and representation of the Philippine people, asks
the support of all the powers of the civilized world, and earnestly
entreats them to proceed to the formal recognition of the belligerency
of the Revolution and the Independence of the Philippines; since they
are the means designated by Providence to maintain the equilibrium
between peoples, sustaining the weak and restraining the strong,
to the end that by these means shall shine forth and be realized the
most complete justice in the indefinite progress of humanity.

Given at Bacoor, in the Province of Cavite, the 6th day of August,
1898. The President of the Revolutionary Government,
_Emilio Aguinaldo_.

_Statement_.

The undersigned chiefs of towns comprising the Provinces hereinafter
named, elected as such in the manner prescribed by the decree of the
18th and the instructions dated the 20th of June last, after having
been confirmed in their respective offices by the President of the
Government and having taken the prescribed oath before him, have met
in full assembly previously called for that purpose for the purpose
of discussing the solemn proclamation of Philippine independence.

The discussion took place with the prudence and at the length which