Barcelona
The Philippines in a crisis – A communication of Acting Governor General Molto concerning the prestige of the religious orders – Fr. Salvador Font’s censure of Noli – Grand reception of Rizal’s books in Germany, according to Blumentritt who is translating it into German
* * *
2-3o Ramblas Calanetas, Barcelona
4 July 1888
Mr. Jose Rizal
My very esteemed Friend,
On this date I am sending, consigned to Mr. Luna, the works of Larra in accordance with your suggestion in your letter of 27th of last month. You have nothing to thank me for; my greatest desire is to be useful to you in something.
It goes as parcel post. I took the liberty of writing to this gentleman advising him of the remittance.
The Philippines is going through a crisis. According to what my friends tell me, they are making an effort to give news of robbery, hold-ups, and assaults which the newspapers are stressing, especially Lo Oceania, which hardly carries any other thing daily. All this is to be able to declare Manila and other provinces in a state of siege for the purpose of driving away the reputable residents and enlightened citizens. They sent me a copy of the communication that acting governor Molto sent to the provincial governors, immediately after Terrero had left, which is as follows:
The religious orders constituted under the protection of the laws, of tradition, and of national sentiment. It is the duty of my office to guarantee their rights so that their mystic character may be respected and their high prestige may be maintained. So long as their rights are confined to their own sphere, in the atmosphere of concord and evangelical peace with which priesthood surrounds them.
The General Government is inspired by this criterion. Without concealing from you the fact that for some time now the respect and the veneration that the natives owe their parish priest have weakened, I advise Your Lordship through the means at your command and by the methods you deem convenient, as by means of persuasion, or admonition, in the province under your command, to endeavor to raise the prestige of the clergy to the height that is always occupied in this Archipelago, not only for the august mission that its sacred ministry represents but that it would be impolitic any way to impair the prerogatives of an element that symbolizes so many glories (!) and through whose Christian (!!) endeavors the peoples submitted willingly that the sword of our conquerors subjugated by forces.
I leave to Your Lordship’s clear judgment, recognized zeal, and patriotism the enforcement of my instructions in the form and manner that will not give the clergy a motive to go beyond the limit in matters alien to their ministry that Your Lordship with your customary energy would know how to repress. This Superior Government wishes at the present time to identify itself with the design of the Government of Her Majesty whose policy, frankly liberal, ample, and progressive but adapted to places and circumstances, is always of attraction, assimilation, and concord. Please advise me in the shortest possible time of the receipt of this present communication.
Pedro Serrano and other friends send you their fond greetings.
Enclosed I send you a clipping of a little article that I published in La Publicidad, which made it its own, thanks to your kindness. Mr. Eusebio Corominas, manager of this newspaper, sends you his affectionate regards.
Have you heard of Fr. Salvador Font’s censure of the Noli me tangere?
In the name of the colony I ask you if you are not planning to visit this city during the Exposition. All of us would be glad to be able to embrace you.
I am sending you also my photograph. I hope you will send me yours.
Mr. Blumentritt has already informed me of the grand reception that the Noli me tangere had in Germany on which I have congratulated myself. This good and learned professor also told me he was busy translating it into German.
At your pleasure, command your friend.
M. Ponce
P.S.
I request you to advise me promptly whether you have received the book or not.
03-310 [Reformists]