Philippine Islands
Philippine Islands, 10 February 1884
I did not intend to write you since you went to Paris, but as that already is past and one cannot refrain from doing so without neglecting certain interests, I’ll now resume writing though not so frequently, as I wish, on account of my numerous duties.
Among the things that you tell us in your letters the first to which I should reply is that concerning your doctorate. What amount do you assign to that? I need to know it by return mail so that I can send you the amount on time.
In another letter you say that war between France and Prussia is imminent. If your graduation coincides with the outbreak of hostilities and as they say that surgery is best practiced in military camps, I think you ought to go there, either as the correspondent of a newspaper, that has already disappeared, or to serve in the sanitary corps, and if possible, in the General Staff, which is still better, because it is not superfluous to learn other things that are almost essential, but must present yourself as a Filipino and not as a Japanese. There is no reason to be ashamed of one’s nationality; we are proud to be Indios, because Indios feel and think like the rest of mankind. Notwithstanding this and as we are far from the theater of events, and we do not know the real dangers facing one who mixes in it or witnesses it, you, who are nearer there, can ascertain the consequences of such a step and if in fact one runs the risk of exposure to grave dangers, I’m the first one to oppose it, for I don’t want many persons to be distressed through my advice. I believe that I have made my position sufficiently clear. If this proposition is acceptable to you, I’ll furnish you with ₱200 in addition to your allowance and more if you obtain a post in the corps, as I have said above.
Some things are happening here that arouse one’s curiosity, but are not necessary to know. I will not tell you about them, because I lack time and because I’m going to reveal myself more and I don’t want my figure to show. One must be careful of this visionary and meticulous folk that sees things where there are none.
[PACIANO]
04-099 [Misc.]