February 11, 1976

3‐mo drought devastates crops in notheastern Brazil; several hundred thousand peasants have become hungry and thirsty refugees (S)

45 of 200 Brit mercenaries fighting in Angolan civil war give up 6‐mo contracts at $300 per wk and fly home amid repts of Britons killing Britons; Security Advisory Services, principal recruiting agency, reptdly has not given up on recruiting; agency leader identified as ‘Gerry’ denies that there has been any atrocities against Britons; 3 journalists in Kinshasa (Zaire) had reptd that 13 or 14 Brit mercenaries had been shot by firing squad of own compatriots; they allegedly did shooting under threat of being killed; illus (L)

Pres Ford orders rev of bribery and other illegal activities by US corps and execs in foreign countries in move that could lead to Fed sanctions against offending cos; White House press sec Ron Nessen says Ford is leaning toward creation of cabinet‐level com to investigate practices of US corps overseas; Treas Sec William E Simon asks IRS to intensify and broaden its own investigation of improper payments by US corps; Treas Dept says Simon intends to insure that all those who have made improper payments and bribes do not profit through reducing their Fed tax liabilities (L)

fire officials say carelessly disgarded cigarette caused hosp fire (S)

Sen Lloyd Bentsen withdraws from Pres race, citing his poor showing in early Dem precinct caucuses; says he will attempt to lead favorite‐son delegation to natl conv; blames pol ‘polarization’ for failure of his candidacy; his campaign revd; claims he would not accept Vice‐Pres nomination; calls for regional primaries to reduce number of primaries, and criticizes caucus procedure in gen; says he will campaign for re‐election to 2d term in Sen; his illus (M)