The Washington times., 1909-04-08

In Speculative Stage.
The international chess game. in
which half a dozen nations are trying
TO put Cipriano Castro into corner,
with the aid of three American war
ships. reached the speculative stage to-
day The United States has received
the official assurance of the British
government that he viii not be allowed
to land on British possessions. An an
nOuncement is made rom the French
government that he will be expelled
from the island OF Martinique.
The all-absorbing question. therefore,
is the course that Castro Will take
when he leaves the French colony.
All the countries at which he might
land from a vessel bound westward
have been forewarned, and are In touch
with the United States to check any
move on Castro's part. Leaving Fort
de france on regular steamer, Cas-
tros next stopping place would be the
island of Trinidad, which Is closed to
him. From there the next stop would
be the ports of COrupanO or La Guaira.
Venezuela, where he will be arrested as
soon as he sets foot ashore.
The next stop beyond that is Puerto
Colombia, in the United States of
Colombia, across the river from Baran-
quillO, III Venezuela.
would be convenient.
This would be a convenient point for
a stopping place for any expedition that
Castro might organize but ne will be
checked from making any such move
by the Colombian government. Senior
COrtes, the minister Of Colombia. was
in conference at the State Department
yesterday at which Castro an q his pos
sible movement were discussed. mas
much as the Colombian government has.
in the past. been forced to break dipIo-
matte relations with Castro's govern
ment, he is not likely 20 receive much
consideration in that quarter
From Puerto Colombia. the steamer
makes its next stop at Colon, Panama
Minister AroSemena was also with As
sistant Secretary Wilson yesterday and,
10 IS understood. Castro Will receive no
more consideration there. The next port
IN the course is Port Limon. Costa
Rica, which is so far out of range OF
the danger zone that the question has
not been taken up with that govern
Should Castro. upon his expulsion
from Martinique, be Obliged to take an
eastward bound vessel he would have
an opportunity to stop only at French
ana spanish ports, entrance 20 which
would be denied him.
Back In Bordeaux
In that event he would md himself
back in Bordeaux with only the pros
pect of permanent exile in the cafes of
France
The United states. with the other gov
e-nments concerned. has carefully work
ed out this plan. with the assistance.
in case il goes aWTy, 81 three armoTed
cruisers which happened to be cruising
In the vicinity of Castro's present Ioca-
ton. Although there Is no Osteusihla
reason for the presence OF these ships
in these waters, It is tacitly understood
that they viii be on. hand in case Cas-
tro springs a surprise
The only uncertain element in this
very perpleXinE chess game is Vene-
2uela Itself. and the attitude which
might be taken by President Gomez.
The State Department expects an eN-
preston Of the views OF the Gomez gov
eminent with reference to what action
Il will take in connection with Castro
today or tomorrow. In the meantime
he will be kept under surveillance