Hong Kong
Unexpected attack of Lete – Why did del Pilar allow its publication? – They will think there is schism among the Filipinos – Rizal would not take offense so that things would not become worse – Do they pretend to attack him in order to show that they are partisans of assimilation? – “I will pursue my policy and will try to guess your purposes.” – Attacks improve he who wishes to improve himself.
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Hong Kong, 2 Rednaxele Terrace
23 May 1892
MR. MARIANO PONCE
MY DEAR FRIEND PONCE,
Today I have received an issue of Solidaridad of 15 April and I have read its articles, including that of Lete attacking me. I cannot express either contempt or indifference upon reading such an article, for after all, he is a Filipino and among the good ones, inasmuch as he has been awarded the prize of patriotism. Neither can I show indignation nor dismay, for, as I have not told anyone for some time what I am doing or what my political thoughts are, it is possible that Lete may not know what I am doing. Moreover, I take into account the state of your minds there and of the Madrid atmosphere. Judging by what Blumentritt writes me, it seems that some believe that I am the cause why Solidaridad lacks funds or is about to die. There is nothing in this, for I always bear in mind that I have promised Pilar that never will I join any conspiracy against him or against the publication and until now I have fulfilled and will fulfill my promise. I am very sorry that Pilar has allowed the article to be published, for this will make many believe that there is a schism among us. I believe that we can well have little displeasures and personal differences among us without the necessity of making them extend to the party. We should keep them to ourselves and respect one another. This is what I believe, but Pilar and Lete can believe otherwise, and I admit that there is liberty for all. I do not know the effect of this article on the Filipinos in the Philippines. I, on my part, will not consider myself offended so that maters will not become worse and I will not write a single word as I have not done for a long time. I do not write either Pilar or Lete for reasons you can understand, as they are the persons directly interested in the matter and because a letter of mine can protest against this procedure, and then they have to give me explanations, or it can advise and then I would appear as a counselor or semi-protector. Tell them only that I am very sorry, but neither do I despise it nor I indignant at it. What fault have they if they have not understood me better? Perhaps I am to blame for having supposed they would understand my purposes without the necessity of explaining them. However, for the ends I am pursuing, I prefer not to give explanations. Perhaps also they are pursuing a more profound policy, and they are pretending to go against me and attack me furiously in order to play better the role of pro-assimilation partisans. In this regard I praise them, but in this case, I believe they ought to attack me strongly mentioning my name, because many Spaniards who are not well informed about our inside affairs do not understand Lete’s allusions and the article does not achieve its purpose. I only warn them that the idea is somewhat risky, but if it were thus, they may believe that I sincerely applaud them and they can increase the attacks with my secret congratulations. Only I observe that in following that policy Lete sells himself and sells us. In making my enraged Simoun speak, I have wanted to pursue the same end, setting a darker background so that the Filipinos of Madrid may appear white, but in doing so, I did not sell any secret. In short, you may say whether my conjectures are false or true. Whether true or not, I will pursue my policy and will try to guess the purpose of your movements in order to adjust my step to that of yours and achieve the best end.
As I have heard that you and Selong are thinking of withdrawing, I do not understand that policy . . . .
As I have announced before to Friend Roxas so that he may inform Lete, a friend of mine, Mr. Eulalio Villavicencio, is sending him P15, which I do not know how much they will be with these blessed drafts. As here they do not send drafts to Spain, I send the draft to Paris to Friend Luna so that he in turn will send it to Lete. Also P5 from Friend Basa for Solidaridad will be sent along.
Friend Basa says that you send him five or six copies each time of your Solidaridad. As for me, if that of Lete really goes, you need not send me copies each issue; only when there is some article against me, for I am interested to know what they write against me, because at times they contain truth that is beneficial. I have always wanted to hear attacks against me because they improve he who wants to improve himself.
Against wind and tide I will be the same with regard to the friars of the Philippines. The interests of the Philippines is above me.
Every yours,
RIZAL
04-741 [Misc.]
1892.5.23 Sandakan
From: W. B. Pryer
To: Jose Rizal
He would like Rizal to buy land of him – He does not recommend the Laluk Estate.
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Sandakan, 23 May 1892
DEAR DON JOSE,
Mr. Hughes has shown me your letter to him, he is waiting the receipt of a letter from home with particulars.
The Laluk estate (officers in Hongkong) has been offered for sale here at $12,000 everything included, steam launch, houses, etc. and there is some Manila Hemp growing. There is another estate of 25,000 acres alongside it; I will inquire the price of it by next Memnon and let you know. I do not recommend the Laluk. Every winter and sometimes in the summer there are heavy floods and all the flat land gone under water. —I would rather you would buy 1,000 acres of us with 20,000 acres option behind in addition to which I am writing to the Railway Syndicate in England as to what price they will sell or give the refusal of an additional 80,000 acres adjoining for. As this is situated in the peninsula between Sandakan Bay and Laluk Bay there is not space enough for enough rainfall to cause floods. I have felled some forest on a small river with small hills on its banks and flat land close by, it is nearer Sandajan than the Manila river you visited about two miles this side of it. I have also a good harbour with lots of land behind it, good forest, right down to the sea water’s edge to a nice Sandy Beach, further on.
The Bases have been submitted to England and there cannot be a reply under two months at the soonest. —
I hope to hear about the Segalind land shortly, Mr. Roberts here, is asking too much for it.
Yours very truly,
W. B. PRYER
01-742 [Family]