-3+ 873
RIZAL'S CONNECTION WITH H.K.
Last Sunday was Rizal Day, which Filipino residents observe annually, as the anniversary of the execution of their patriot and leader of the revolt which eventually led to the end of Spain's control in the Philippines. This famous Filipino had a close connection with Hong Kong of old, and laid most of his plans while a resident of the Colony. Tradition has it that here he conceived much of the material which went into his "Noli Me Tangere".
Also, it was here he found romance, for in Hongkong he met his wife, then Miss Josephine Bracken, who later braved the years of exile which Jose Rizal was fated to endure in Mindanao.
It is interesting to find that this Filipino had much support, or at least sympathy, among Britons in Hongkong. When, in 1892, he was induced to leave this Colony and go to Manila, where he was arrested and, after trial, sent into exile, there was much indignation.
I take the following extracts from a leading article written by the vitriolic pen of Fraser Smith, founder of the Hongkong Telegraph, omitting some of the more strongly-worded passages. The article appeared on July 21, 1892;
"The latest news from Manila shows that the trial and conviction of Dr. Rizal of the city was a "put-up-job" of the most transparent and iniquitous kind. Dr. Rizal left Hong Kong on the strength of what was practically a direct invitation from the Governor General of the Philippines, who promised him immunity from all persecution and prosecution. He therefore went to Manila trusting that the Governor would and could keep his word... but insisted on his trunks and luggage being examined by the Customs officers at Manila, in order that no charge could be made against him for alleged smuggling or in any other way violating the shipping laws. A thorough search was made, and every parcel of luggage was marked "O.K." by the officials. So far so good. But a few days afterwards Dr. Rizal was invited to a dinner given in his honour by a number of friends who admired his disinterested patriotism and believed in his advanced principles, and during his absence, the rooms he occupied were entered by police and detectives and his trunks broken into and searched... a certain box, the lock of which, on examination, was found, to put it mildly, in a suspicious condition. It had, in fact, been tampered with. In this box, it is alleged, were found a number of so-called seditious books. The suggestion is obvious. At the trial, Dr. Rizal denied having imported the books in question, or even having seen them before their production in court. He claimed that they had been put surreptitiously into the box during his absence at dinner, and he asked the Court to call the Customs officers who had passed his luggage on arrival at Manila. The request was denied, and... the Doctor was convicted of sedition, or its equivalent in Spanish law. Sentence was deferred and Rizal was led to prison... The Court... set in secret session and sentenced this gentleman who had been decoyed into the country by specious promises, to be deported to one of those Spanish fever-ridden islands near the equator, where the newcomer conveniently dies shortly after his arrival.
"To prevent a rescue by public-spirited citizens, as well as to keep the fact concealed from the general public, the authorities sent Dr. Rizal on board a gunboat on Friday, July 15, under charge of the commander of the troops in Manila, and it is