Letters Exchanged Between José Rizal and Other Reformers - 1896

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336. José Ma. Basa, Hong Kong, 28 April 1896

Mr. Mariano Rivera, bearer of a letter to Rizal.

Hong Kong, 28 April 1896

Mr. José Rizal

My dear and good Friend,

       The bearer, Mr. Marciano Rivera, is going there to pick up a ring of one of your sisters, which is in one of the boxes.  You can entrust it to him because he has our full confidence.

Your friend who esteems you.

J. M. Basa

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337.  Francisco Villa-Abrille, Argentina, 27 September 1896

Suggestion of a nostalgic compatriot – Long live the Unitarian Republic of the Philippines! – News of the insurrection reached Argentina – He believes that Japan is called upon to liberate Oceana and the west coast of the Pacific from European domination – High hopes for an independent Philippines – News of Rizal’s arrest published in Argentine newspapers – He would like to be a signatory of the Philippine act of Independence.

540 G. Mitre Street, Barracas al Sud

República Argentina, 27 September 1896

Mr. José Rizal

Hong Kong

My dearest Friend,

       I write you uncertain that you will receive this letter and I address it to Hong Kong because I have read in La Nación – the newspaper with the largest circulation in this country – that a physician “known for his adverse ideas to Spanish sovereignty” resides at Hong Kong and this physician cannot be any other but you.

       You cannot imagine with what pleasure I write you.  I should like to write you my impressions of the present insurrection, of what is said and talked about here, of the probabilities of victory of our patriotic soldiers; but everything comes in confusion, ideas crowd on me that it is impossible for coordinate them into a single phase.  Nevertheless, I will begin by exclaiming: Long live the Unitarian Republic of the Philippines!

       The first news of the insurrection that we received here dates from the beginning of this month, and although the majority of the Spaniards residing here believe that it will not go beyond a calamity.  I do not believe so, and not only that, but I consider it more grave than that of Cuba.

       We have the advantage of being very far from the Peninsula (that is, we the revolutionists), an advantage for which the Cubans themselves envy us, have a larger population, our soldiers are long-suffering and sober, circumstances that in no way favor the foreign tyrant that dominates us.

       Our cause besides is mot holy and just.  Happy is he who can fight for the independence of his motherland!

       The weapon that Spain uses to discredit our cause is perfidious.  She says (always the same thing) that the insurrection in the Philippines is due to racial hatred, that we are still beardless to think of independence, that, in the last analysis, we would get out of Herod to fall into the hands of Pilate (the Japanese), in short, fictitious tales of this nature.  I do all I can.  As if I were informed of previous events, I declare to them that the present insurrection is closely connected with the peoples of Sumatra, Java, and Borneo who, in secret treaties, have agreed to join us, the Filipinos, themselves rising in their turn in the near future.

       I cannot believe that Japan aspires to acquire the Pearl of Oceania though this weapon or stratagem to frighten us is the most frequently used to combat our cause and in truth it makes any one cavil.  Notwithstanding, I firmly believe that the role that Japan is called upon to plan will be that of liberating Oceania and the West Coast of the Pacific from European domination.

       What an honor it would be for us if we could, once we are independent, to cooperate with that nation to carry the flag of freedom to all the islands of the Pacific Ocean!

       If this revolution fails, we must work to bring about the uprising of Java and other islands I have mentioned to you, for these islands have nearly forty million inhabitants who are a good nursery to found a nationality.

       Neither do I dislike the idea that should the present uprising fail, you try by all means to submit to the decision of the committees or general council the following:

       Endeavor to bring into Dutch rule the Philippine Archipelago so that, in this manner, Java, Sumatra, the Philippines, etc. will be only one nationality.

       To fight afterwards Dutch rule, the Dutch being scarcely four million souls, the Filipinos alone would be enough.

       Once this union is formed and our independence attained, we have noting to fear from the Japanese.  We would become, don’t you doubt it, the English of the Pacific on account of the splendid position of e said islands and we would hold the keys to its navigation.

       Spain could not endure to have the Philippines plucked from her crown, but in order to save the mother country the insult that such a loss would mean to her, if we obtain our independence by force, our policy then ought to be in harmony with Spain so that the Philippines would not pass into Dutch rule.   

       We, on the other hand, would remain grateful to Spain.  We would concede to Spanish commerce, the largest freedom and she, in turn, would have the glory of having assisted in the formation of a powerful nation.

       These are, in broad strokes, my opinions, without wanting to say that I am against the present insurrection.  May we win this time.  Spain has been drawing the interest of an un-invested capital for more than three hundred fifty years and it is just that we, the sole and legitimate owners of our land, should have its use and ownership.

       I do not know your address so that I send this to the general delivery of the post office.  Communicate with me often so that I can seek opinions that are favorable to us.

       These last days there was published in this city a telegram that said that “Dr. Rimal” had fallen into the power of the Spaniards, and, as it was most probable that the name was your, erroneously transcribed, I availed myself of the opportunity to dispel the error, by writing to the publication saying that it must be Dr. Rizal and not “Rimal,” a name I have never heard of nor will it be found in the Philippines.

       In that telegram you are mentioned as a prisoner and sent to Ceuta.

       Is the execution of the banker Rojas (1) true?

       We are anxious to receive reliable information on what is happening and no one else but you can give it to us.

       Another compatriot of ours resides here, the physician Dr. F. Pardo de Tavera, brother-in-law of Juan Luna y Novicio who was in Paris when the events in which our illustrious compatriot Luna gave so much to talk about occurred. (2)

       He is opposed to emancipation.

       He is married to an Argentine woman, a daughter of Mr. Manigot who owns a haberdashery shop on Florida Street.

       I came to this country in 1885 (6 January) and since ’90 I have been practicing the profession of notary.  I have married and have a daughter of three years.

       This is a great country with a smiling future.

       If the vicissitudes you have to go through will compel you to abandon the motherland, come here to Argentina which is an eminently liberal nation.

       Here you will see how the Spaniard is humbled without his mumbling.

       The pride and haughtiness that he shows in Manila disappears here, giving way to humility.

       In case our act of independence is worked out and our constitution is drafted, I authorize you with the widest powers to sign for me.

       I should like to have this honor and I hope you would adduce powerful reasons in order that they may permit you this concession that I value most highly.

       When you write me put this address:

              Republican Argentina

              Via England

              My name

              Called G. MITRE 540

              Barracks al Sod.

       Greet in my name all our friends, tell them that I pray that liberty may triumph, and you command your true and consistent friend who embraces you,

Francisco Villa-Abrille

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(1) Francisco Roxas.  He was executed by the Spaniards.

(2) Juan Luna in a fit of jealousy shot his wife z Pardo de Tavera, sister of Drs. Felix Pardo de Tavera and T. H. Pardo de Tavera at Paris.  Luna was acquitted by the French court.

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338. Francisco Vila-Abrille, Argentina  29 September 1896

Sends his adhesion to the General Committee of the Philippine Revolution through Rizal – Offers his services as notary public.

Barracas al Sud, Republica Argentina

29 September 1896

Dear Friend,

       Today I have spoken with some countrymen of ours and I note enthusiasm to go.

       I too send you my adhesion which I wish you to be kind enough to present to the General Committee.

       If you need a secretary who is at the same time a notary, here I am ready to answer the first call to attest the resolutions or measures that are adopted.  My license is from the Federal Republican Nation.

       Again I salute you.

F. Villa-Abrille

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       NOTE: Rizal did not receive this letter.  In September of 1896 he was en route to Spain, aboard the boat Isla de Panay.