15 June 1892

Hong Kong

Attacking me in Solidaridad . . . would be equivalent to disowning its own principles in its last days – Del Pilar admits he is more useful in the Philippines – “Rizal does not believe that the reformists are more useful abroad, than in their own country” – “Can a patient be cured more quickly by having the physician and the medicine far from him?” – Rizal’s return to the Philippines is strongly opposed – Looking forward to reconciliation.

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Hong Kong, 15 June 1892

MR. MARCELO H. DEL PILAR

Madrid

MY DEAR FRIEND,

I see by your letter of 10 May that you are not responsible for the article attacking me that Lete has published. Perhaps I may be mistaken, which would make me very glad, for a wide breach would have been opened to the enemy. Attacking me in La Solidaridad would be for La Solidaridad like a renunciation of its principles, and if contradicting and attacking one another are done by Spanish newspapers, we should not follow their example. But you, better than I, know what you are doing. I note only that it is somewhat puerile to make known to everyone, urbi et orbi,[1] that arms, ships, and money are necessary to make revolutions. Friend Lete can be excused from telling us such a novelty, though perhaps he has supposed that I am much more stupid, more ignorant and more candid than I am.

I am glad of what you tell me that you will be more useful in the Philippines. I do not ignore the services you are rendering there and that you are the only one at present who can render them, but, as La Solidaridad reaches Manila with great difficulty, your efforts are very much paralyzed. It is the belief of many of our countrymen that we are or we will be more useful abroad than in our country. When they can prove to me that a patient is cured more quickly by having the physician and the medicine far form him, then I will believe them. Cavour said that one does not serve the native country by staying out of her but within her. I have encountered strong opposition to my return.

I too I am ready to settle disputes notwithstanding and with everybody, and I have so expressed it to the Committee, which answered me talking to me about my giving explanations. As I answered it rather vigorously, it stopped writing me. Perhaps it was also due to the difference in our views, for I believe that we ought to adopt a different policy and other principles.

I have written Manila that they should not decide anything until you write me about Lete’s article. They have not replied.

I wish to see you in Manila or here so that we can come to an understanding and again become what we had always been. I hope that once of that atmosphere, and seeing ourselves more closely, we may understand each other.

My parents as well as my brother are grateful for your regards.

The colony greets you.

Yours,

RIZAL

03-748 [Reformists]