Leitmeritz, Austria
A request of Lopez Jaena from Hong Kong – Blumentritt wants to prevent Rizal’s departure – Jaena was in Manila only four days – If he had stayed longer, he would have been thrown into Bilibid or cast away on the Mariana Islands – Rizal must abandon the idea of returning to the Philippines – Blumentritt fell ill – A letter for Jaena from Blumentritt.
* * *
Leitmeritz, Austria
5 July 1891
Professor Ferdinand Blumentritt
Dr. Jose Rizal
Gand
My Brother,
I received a letter from Graciano Lopez Jaena dated at Hong Kong, 2 June 1891. He writes, among other things, the following:
“On the 17th of this month I’ll depart here for Marseille and afterwards for Spain. If my funds permit I’ll go to Austria to greet you.
“Do me the favor of advising Rizal that I have requests from Manila to interview him. If he undertakes his trip to here, will he please wait for me at Marseille.”
I’m informing you then of Lopez Jaena’s message, though I should not do it. Because it should be my duty as a friend to prevent by all means your departure. Lopez himself writes: “I was in Manila only four days; I left it hurriedly to come to this place, because I had a suspicion that if I would stay longer in the Philippines, as I wished, I would be in Bilibid or Mariana, as our friends the friars are persecuting me.” I beg you to abandon such an idea!
Shortly after I had sent you my last letter I suddenly fell ill. Now I’m convalescing; I believe my lungs are not as strong as before. The physician laughs at me, but I believe that I’m not mistaken. I’m not yet ready to do mental work. I look out the window like an idle man. What an intelligent occupation!
Please deliver the enclosed letter to Lopez Jaena when you meet him in Marseille; if you are not going there you can send it to his address in some other way. Your invalid embraces you,
F. Blumentritt
03-632 [Reformists]