[388] On January 2, 1899, Aguinaldo announced the formation of a new cabinet made up as follows: Apolinario Mabini president and secretary of foreign affairs; Teodoro Sandico, secretary of the interior; Mariano Trias, secretary of the treasury; Baldomero Aguinaldo, secretary of war and navy, and Gracio Gonzaga, secretary of _fomento_.

[389] On January 4 Mabini took the oath of office as the president of the council of government.

This body met twice a week at Malolos on set days, and at the close of its deliberations forwarded to Aguinaldo a statement of the subjects discussed and the conclusions reached for his decision.

The president of the republic did not preside at, or take part in, its deliberations.
On January 4, 1899, General Otis issued a proclamation in which he announced that the United States had obtained possession of the Philippines and that its government would beextended over the islands of the archipelago.

Aguinaldo replied next day with one which, if not intended to be a declaration of war, was at least a warning that hostilities were imminent.