The Larger Hope
SLR,-A remarkable letter by Miss Vanessa Red- grave in a recent issue of your paper has just come to my notice. It contains an account of the coming to power of the Brazilian government which, if abbre- viated and somewhat selective, is not grossly inac- curate. However, offence will be caused by the exaggerated allegation that Brazil is ruled by dictators `without a semblance of democracy,' and exploited by its bourgeoisie and by the United States. This not.only for the injustice thereby done to many dedi- cated, able and honest people, but because of the pretentious ignorance, the supercilious disregard with which the urgent problems of a huge and compli- cated nation are swept over in the excited surge of general indictment. Miss Redgrave's style will neither inspire nor assist the people of this continent, and they would be less insulted had she done them the honour of making a thoughtful examination of their situation.
It is not the purpose of this letter to poach space for an apologia of the 'March revolution': its merits and demerits are already debated ad nauseam by the local press and broadcasting services. In passing, however, one should mention that the government's insistence, despite a barrage of influen- tial criticism, in pressing ahead with the re- establishment of decent elections, accords strangely with Miss Redgrave's strictures.
Brazil is not a uniformly underdeveloped coun- try, but a large proportion of her population exist in pathetically inadequate circumstances. However, if Miss Redgrave should make even a cursory study of the history of, say, agricultural reform, or the development of the north-east, or of the effect of inflation upon social welfare and industrial expan- sion, she might perhaps wonder whether the pressing needs of these pitiable people are not better served by the somewhat stern, practical and professional manner of the present quasi-military pseudo- dictatorship, than by the flagrantly corrupt, rapacious, vociferous and futile demagogy which has plagued Brazil these last few years.
It is a question of consequence, and not perhaps without significance in other parts of the world.
J. ANTHONY CLARE
Rua Boa Vista 254, 9o, Sao Paulo I, .S'P, Brazil
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