The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-06-10
Copyright by the Associated Press.)

Copyright by the Associated Press.)
Off Santiago dc Cuba, Saturday, June
1, via Kingston, Jamaica, Monday, June
Go Il. m-Every effort is being made
to cut off Santiago de Cuba's connection
with the outside world, and it is believed
that within 4S hours there will be a
Since Sunday hast, when Commodore
Schlcy found Admiral Cervera's fleet
trying to quietly leave the harbor and
headed it off, thus probably solving the
war problem, it has been the policy to
surround the city and harbor, SO that no
assistance either in supplying arms or
ammunition could reach there. After
driving the Spanish fleet into a more pro-
tected position in the harbor, 10y the
bombardment of Tuesday, Commodore
Schley opened up communication with
the insurgents, eighteen miles from San
tiago to the east. They were urged TO
obtain, if possible, the names and num-
Der of vessels of the feet inside the har-
bor, as the contour of the land at the
entrance made it impossible to accurate
~ determine by Il view from the Ameri-
can fleet just how many vessels of the
Spanish squadron were there.
On Friday afternoon, Lieutenant
Sharp. of the Vixen, went to the place
of rendezvous and received from the in
surgents may of the harbor, showing
the entire Cape Verde fleet with the
exception of the destroyer Terror, inside
and close up to the city under. the pro-
lection of the guns mounted on Blanc0
battery ut the northern extremity of the
harbor The ships there. according to
this chart, are the Christobal Colon, the
Nizcaya, the Almirante Oquendo, the
Maria Teresa and the Reina Mercedes,
ldestroyed by the American warshlps
since this dispatch was written, all
cruisers Of the first-clasS and heavily
armed. with three torpedo boats. The
definiteness of this information naturally
gave Commodore Schley great satisfac-
tion.
Although he had known that several
ships of the enemy were there, he was
not certain that some others had not
succeeded in getting away or had not
been sent in another direction.
With Admiral SIMPSONS arrival on
"Wednesday, the blockade was much
strengthened, and the plans to starve out
the city. its troops and the enemys fleet
were pushed vigorously. \ cable boat
was sent TO find and cut the cables com
municating from Santiago to Jamaica
and Hayti. cables which it had been al
legged had been cut by the auxiliary cruls'
er ST Louis.
The boat was put to work, but up to
today had not found the cable for which
She was searching. Guarded by the bat
tleships Massachusetts and Texas, she
worked on Friday morning within two
miles of formidable Notifications on
shore. and strange to say, without any
attempt of the Spanish gunners to hit
them. although in the morning the bic
guns were fired at Commodore Schley's
flagship.
Inst how long Santiago can stand the
seige is n matter of conjecture. Three
weeks ago it was claimed ut Jamaica
that food i'm Santiago was very poor an,
that it was also very scant. The country
about the city is unpr0ductive an'
mountainous. and the insurgent camps
are so close that there is little or M
communication between the city and it'
environments.
1t is thought that only short time
will be needed to bring Santiago to
starvation basis Naturally. the flee
has supply. perhaps for two months
but the Spanish soldiery cannot be suS
tanned on this.
One important fact was learned tOda,
from the insurgents on shore with whom
communication has been opened up
there are not 10000 soldiers. as ha
been stated, in this part of the provinc,
of Santiago. but only about 5000 badl,
fed and much disheartened. 1t has heel
the intention to send the cruiser Marble
head and the cable steamer east Il
Guantanamo to cut the cable at tbn
point, word having been brought that tb
Spanish feet evidently was i'm commu
nication with Spain. The shin left \
midnight. but subsequent order dc
layed the matter; in the meantime til
Spanish seemed to be profting by th
delay Active work is being prosecute
on the earthworks and new guns ar
being mounted. On Sunday morning tn
feet lay outside the harbor. a quiet. in
mobile-looking lot of innocents. ready {
fight at a moments notice At half pas
ten a tug boat bearing n flag of true
was seen by the lookout on the Iowa
he steaming down the entrance. Grasl
ing the situation Immediately Captai
Bob Evans, commander of the battleshi
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