In 1890 Dr. Rizal published a pamphlet that stirred the island world. He pictured the sufferings of the natives under the Spanish rule. He appealed to the enlightened Church, conscience and humanity.
The patriot's friends saw that the reform movement was about to be crushed, and said to Rizal:
"Escape to Hong Kong!"
There was a patriotic club in Hong Kong that sought the emancipation of the natives of Luzon and the Philippines from the extortions of Spain. It would be well for him now to go there.
"How shall I leave the city?" was the one question that suddenly haunted his mind.
He must go by sea. He could not go on board a ship without being detected and detained.
"Get into a perforated box," said a fellow patriot, "and I will ship you with the merchandise."
Dr. Rizal secreted himself in the perforated box, and was shipped from Luzon to Hong Kong.
He was received with great enthusiasm by the Philippine patriots in Hong Kong.
But he was more dangerous to the officials of Luzon in Hong Kong than at Cavite. It became a problem with the latter how to get him once more in their power.