Paris
30 July 1889
Dear Friend,
You should excuse me because I am very busy these days with the publication of my book. It gives me much work, I read all the proofs, and I add new annotations.
I have received all your welcome letters and all of us Filipinos are very grateful to you for your love of our country. We are all agreed that you are the best Philippinist and you are doing more than all of us put together.
With reference to the trip to Spain, I have thought of it carefully; but it is impossible for me to make it. Many compatriots have arrived here and I have to talk with them about Philippine affairs. Moreover, I am still very busy with my book. Moret[1] is coming and we are going to banquet with him. I believe that the Filipinos who are in Barcelona can speak with Balaguer without me. Plaridel[2] is there who can substitute for me excellently.
Recently I received good news from the Philippines. Almost all the youth and many of the old ones agree with us. They salute the defenders of Filipino rights. La Solidaridad is read with genuine eagerness; still more, it is copied and translated. Only that many do not believe that Fernando Blumentritt is an Austrian. Many say that he is a Filipino who has been in Europe for a long time, but who does not forget his mother country. Some believe that his articles are mine or Plaridel’s and that we only borrow the use of his name. I have to write to those persons to correct such erroneous beliefs, so that they would be ashamed of themselves. A foreigner does more for the Philippines than the Filipinos themselves. I believe that your collaboration will have an extraordinary result.
I no longer receive any periodical, neither the Manililla nor the España Oriental. I am glad that you have become the nightmare of the Peninsular Spaniards. I believe that they do not like your truths.
La Opinión has turned traitor to its principles and has sold itself. There was a change in the editorial staff. Other completely different ideas predominate there now.
Your friend greets you,
I greet you.
Yours,
Rizal
02-427 [Blumentritt V.1]
[1] Segismundo Moret, minister of colonies, recognized liberal, who favored the secularization of the Universidad de Sto. Tomás de Manila.
[2] Pseudonym of the fighting journalist Marcelo H. del Pilar, director of La Solidaridad .