Clavel, Madrid
8 March 1889
DEAR DR. RIZAL,
On the same day that I received the article I sent it to Morayta so that he can see how it could be published in El Globo. He told me that it was all right, but until now I have not seen it. Never mind, for right now I shall know the final result, or if it is not possible in El Resumen, then I shall send it to Barcelona opportunely. Llorente has already seen me about this.
I send you an article of Quioquiap published in El Dia. It seems incredible; El Dia, whose correspondent is the most sensible among those there who write for this! Nobody can be trusted, because everybody turns against one. The canes become lances, so that I am completely, but completely, disappointed with the support that the press could render us. They accept an article insulting an entire race and do not even allow us to defend ourselves. Not insult for insult but defense for attack, which is the least that can be done.
Lord Salisbury was given a vote of censure for having called Negro a representative – if I am not mistaken – of India; and here a Quioquiap daily hurls against an entire race and remains unharmed. This is a free country, of rights and liberties, where insult is permitted and defense is not.
I have sent the same article to Barcelona so that they may reply to it and you answer it and send me your reply, in case I succeed to have it published here.
More and more it becomes obvious the need for a Filipino newspaper in Madrid. More and more the lack of unity is felt; a void that could be filled were there unity and money. But, what can be done? If there is a Filipino organ, personal aggrandizement is confused with the aggrandizement of the Philippines; or if not, it serves as the arena for the rivalries arising from the difference in race and with these divergent opinions we shall not attain our goal, and thus we go.
Cunanan told me he was going to write you. His address: 2-20 left, Sauco.
I am completely in the dark about what they say of Dominador[1]. Nay, I believe that one who does not like him must have written to London a string of lies. For my part I can assure that he did not say such nonsense.
I live 6-3°elft, Clavel.
An embrace of your friend and compatriot,
ANTONIO LUNA
Have you received my photo which I sent you when you were at Geneva?
03-368 [Reformists]
[1] Dominador Gomez who later, under the American regime, was identified with the Philippine Labor movement. He was a fiery orator often caricatured holding an anahaw fan.