New-York tribune., 1880-04-04
Z LETTERs FROM 1HE PNQPLI
THE BRAzIEfAN FAMINE AGAIN.

HERBERT II. SMITH REPLIES TO II. H. SWIFT q CO.
To the EDITOR Of Ths Tribune.
SIR: My attention has been called to O let
ter from Messrs. II, II. Swift Co., published in your
issue OF Sunday, Mach d. in which they expressed tho
belief that have created wrong impression about the
Brazilian famine, that my enthusiasm has away
with my judgment, so that imagine great suffering
where very little exists. I am Informed also that
Messrs Swift Co. have received cable message from
Pernambuco denying that there is famine pesteuee
In Ccara
For long time the people OF Ceara have been fed by
the brazilian Government, and with the regular daily
ia''ohs supplied TO them there has been why
tney snouid starve moreover, far know, thcre
are no epidemic diseases CearA this tine with
exception OF smallpox, which is slightly prevalent In
soine paces SO far, then. your correspondents are
ri8ht But are they prepared to deny the following
'acts on which letter. published In your Issue OF Feb
ruary 20, was Dasedi
l. tnat 100000 poor people stin fed in Ceala BY
the Brazilian Government.
q That during 1879 the Winter rains were entirely
wanting in most parts Of Ceara or were 30 slight that
tho crops failed altogether except IN the hill regions OF
Baturite and Ibiapaba.
g. That up to the last Of January 1880 no heavy raus
and all the Indications polluted to afourth
That the enormous strain upon the BRAZILIAN treas.
had very bad effect on tho National finances HIS
o. That many Brazans, including the enses the M
selves, fear that the Government will be Obliged io
withdraw ts aid reduce it greatly not hecase ia
willing TO see ITS people starve. but because cannot do
| all tnat Is called Tor.
g. That If the Government aid is withdra Sn $50 600
people will be left Without food. except What comes from
private charity.
T. That there for charity Ceaa whethe,
the Government aid is withdrawn or not.
My Information derived from the Secretary OF the
Province Ceara and the official journals. have
advces bearing later date tnan January 20, 1880 VI
to that journals OF FOrtaleza had published
any news Of rain II rain has come. one Is more
truly thankfuf1Or it than am. But until hear better
news. shall persist believing that there Is drought
I'm CearA and that famine VIII follow the Withdrawal
OF Government aid the cable message TO the contrary
Notwithstanding.
p s-I have received notices from Fortaleza, Ccara
dated March 3, 1880. During the month OF February
only twcn,ys3yon mimercs Of rain had fallen at tina,
place, being less tnan in the corresponding month OF
any year record except two. The ordinary fall in
February is from $50 to 450 mmetres. In the inter
Or the rains greater, but they were not heavy
enough nor continuous enough to give any hope OF
good year. 1t is not utterly impossible that the tuc
Wiuter rains may have appeared n March VIC have on
record at least such year, VIZ 1854 when The fall
in February only twenty three milllmetres while
that for the whole year. though not large, was still su
Client for the PAINTINGS; But 1854 was remarkable
exception to the rule that dry February betOkens
drought fear that the suerncs Of Ceara are
not yet cndcd IL. IL.
Br'O0klVn April 3, $780,