New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-19
TO CUT CABLES AT SANTIAGO.
WHEN THAT is DONE BLANCO CANNOT
COMMUNICATE WITH MADRID.


Washington. May 1S.-The complete isolation
OF General Banco from the outside world is
now regarded by leading military and naval
authorities az an essential move. to be executed
at the earliest possible moment The pressing
need Of this has become more evident within the
last few days. since General Blanco IS known to
have been In constant cable communication with
the Admiral of the Spanish squadron, and also
with Madrid He has thus been an intermediary
between the Government and the Admiral IN
forming them OF his own needs and advising
them on matters Of policy. The authorities here
feel the need Of bringing this communication 70
an end. and official inquiry has demonstrated
that there will be little difficulty In isolating
captain General Blanco II the necessary steps
taken quickly and energetcally.
Havana's communication with the outside
world is carried on by means OF five distinct
cable lines. Two OF these run to the United
States. and are OF course. closed against Gen
era Blanco The remaining three cable exits
from Havana are by way OF Santiago on the
south coast Of Cuba. Havana is connected by
two land lines with Santiago. and also by one
shore cable with Santiago. The actual depart
ure OF the cables from Cuba occurs at Santiago.
two Of the lines running thence to Jamaica ana
one to Hayti When a message has once left
are no less than six different cable routes 1t can
take after leaving Jamaica or Hayti. From
Jamaica one route goes to Colon. Pernambuco
the Cape Verd Islands and thence to Spain;
second route goes to Bermuda, Halifax and
thence to Spain; third route goes to Venezuela
Pernambuco Cape Verd and thence to Spain;
fourth route goes to the Windward Islands,
Dutch Guiana. Pernambuco. Cape Verd and
Spain From Hayti there are two routes-one to
Venezuela. Pernambuco Cape verd and Spain,
and second by way Of the Wndward Islands
to British Guiana.
The authorities here have with much labor
figured out all of these various means by which
General Blanco can keep up his communications
They satisfied that the three ca bes running
to Santiago are the roots from which all these
various branches spring. and that II this triple
root is cut the entire system Of communication
between Cuba and the outside world Will be at
an end.
Santiago is not a strongly fortified town. and
IT is believed there would be little danger at
tending the cutting OF the three cables at that
point The right to cut these cables Is not
doubted by the authorities here. although most
Of them are British cables. The chief signal
officer. General Greedy. first advanced the prin-
cipe that In time Of the right existed 10 de-
stroy property found in an enemys territory.
and in the case of cables that the right existed
TO destroy them within the three marine leagues
constituting SPANS Jurisdiction This principle
has now been accepted and Is the policy on
which the Government Is acting. When the
ca bes al Santiago will be cut Is not disclosed.
but there is strong pressure 10 have the work
done Immediately. for until 1t is done General
Banco maintains his communications. and Is
thus enabled to ambarrass the operations OF
American military and naval forces