27 September 1896

Argentina

Suggestions 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 too liberate Oceania 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 – Would like to see the Philippines united with Java and Sumatra under one nationality – Rizal’s name misspelled as “Rimal” – He would like to be a signatory of the Philippine act of Independence.

* * *

540 G. Mitre Street, Barracas al Sud

Republica Argentina, 27 September 1896

MR. JOSE 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 Nacion – the newspaper with the largest circulation in this country – that a physician “known for this 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 impression 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 me to coordinate them into a single phrase. 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, we 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 most 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 the 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 anyone cavil. Notwithstanding, I firmly believe that the role that Japan is called upon to play 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 nothing 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 the 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 ought to be then in harmony with hers so that we or 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 uninvested capital for more than 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 for opinions here 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 yours, 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, 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 I 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 disappear 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 it 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 will value most highly.

When you write me put this address:

Republica Argentina

Via England

My name

Galle G. Mitre 540

Barracas al Sud.

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

02-916 [Blumentritt V.2]