The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-01-03

President Castro has reiterated that the
steamer Ban RICH is pira,e boat. and
that his reward of $4,000 s,U holds
good. according 20 reports current in
diplomatic circles here
As the boat has been armoyed to Ger
tain extent and fitted with rapid-frc
guns, 10 is not question whether by the
action she has not become liable 20 the
construction placed upon her status by
Castro
AGvices received here do not indicate
that the boat has yet passed from the
English register. Gut they do state that
she mas aiken on board several hundred
armed men. and. without the flying OF any
fes of any nation. has proceeded from
Martinique to some point on the Vene-
zuelan coast bent upon acts Of violence
The Case More Complex.
1t is felt in this city that the situation
has thus become very much complicated
in the past twenty-four hours. The fact
that General Mates made his prepara-
tiOns at Martinique and that the General
Transatlantic Company there did the
work of converting the Ban RICH. a-seem-
ingly peaceful merchant ship. into the
Liberador, a vessel of war of indetcrmi--
ate character. may enable Castro to law
claim against France for violation OF
neutrality laws. Details from Martinique
are as yet so vague that authorities
hesitate to express an opinion on the
matter
France has two or three small gunboats
at or near Martinique. She also has a
small garrison on the is-ond II looks
impossible, therefore. for her to claim
later that she was without means to pre-
vent these acts in violation OF peace. and
neutrality
Castro is quite capable. according 60 the
estimates of his character of planning
intrigues- On the other hand. his ambi-
tioa is mercenary and IL is likely ne will
use the occasion as an Offset TO the heavy
claims which France has against yeue-
zuela
Meanwhile the situation in the Carib-
bean is daily becoming more interesting
and the State Department and Diplomatic
Corps are watching developments there
with considerable degree Of anxiety.
Hard 20 Establish =, Claim.
State Department officials regard If. as
extremely doubtful If President Castro
can make good any claim ne may set up
against France because Of the equipPing
OF the Ban RICH at Martinique
They say that before nation can be
guilty OF breach Of neutrality within her
territory el= must have been duly mott
fed that such a breach was taking place
or Is about to take place II she then re-
fuses or fails 10 take action she becomes
responsible.
sudden Trnasforriation.
The metamorrhosis of the Ban RICH
into the Liberador occupied sucn an ex-
ceedingly short space of time shat due
notice could hardly have been given even
II President Castro was in direct COM
munication with the island. It is more
than likely. they say that the change in
the vessels character was effected by
bringing from her hold the steel plates
and the rapid firing guns and setting them
in place
Nevertheless Castro. unless over
whelmed and driven from the Republic by
General MarOs forces. will lay claim for
damages at the door Of France and give
enough substance 20 his demand 20 make
il necessary for consideration
American Vessels Near at Hand.
Meanwhile the Kearsarge. Alabama and
Massachusetts,. Of the North Atlantic
SQUADRON, have arrived at Cullbra Island
lust east Of Porto Rico. and two days
sail will bring them into position 90 de-
fend any American interests in Venezuela
that may seem TO be threatened.