New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-05
BLANCO ISOLATED AT LAST.
GENERAL GREELYS CABLECUTT1NG
PLANS SUCCESSFULLY CARRIED OFT.

GENERAL GREELY's CABLE-CCTTING
PLANS SUCCESSFULLY CARRIED OFT.
Washington June At was learned to-day
tina, an important cable cutting expedition. pro-
jected by General Gresly Chief OF the Signal
Service. and in charge Of the strategic super
vision % able and telegraph lines, had met with
success. and that General Blanco was probably
Isolated from the outside world, particularly
from the Spanish authorities at Madrid. The
advices received were independent Of those by
the Associated Press dispatch boat Via King
ston. but they confirmed these dispatches and
gave additional details. They show that the
French cable from Santiago 10 Hayu was inter-
rupted at $50 o'clock last night. and no mes
sages have passed over that line since theh'
Word has not vet come az IN the interruption
% the two British cables leaving Cuba by way
OF Jamaica but General Greedy Is satisfied that
these also have been cut. He conferred Win
Acting Secretary Allen to-day. and they eX-
changed congratulations over the indications
that this much-desired purpose OF isolatins
Blsnco had been accomplished al last
The expedition was planned eight DAYS ago
and was entirely apart from the naval work IN
connection with cutting the cables Authority
was given to General Greedy TO nj out snip
and place Il under the direction Of sigma SER
vice officers skilled IN work on cables. Lieuten-
ant-Colonel james Allen and Captain Martin
HELEN. % the Signal Corps. were placed IN
charge OF the expedition. A steamship suitable
for the work was secured in New-York. II was
equipped with the latest devices for graphing
cables and vas AS complete In rs OUTFIT as the
ships used by the cable companies. She arrived
a. Key West the latter part OF last week, ana
on Sunday morning he expedition started from
Kew West. the gunboat Dolphin acting as CON
vov. The trip 10 the east end " Cuoa 'ooN
dav or two and the actual work OF graphing
for the cables began about last Tuesday. Nlthh
four DAYS the work had been accomplished The
pron7ptness with which this has been done Is re-
garded as a tribute 70 the Skill and expert
Knowledge OF Colonel Allen and Captain HELEN
Colonel Allen has been stationed at Key West
FOR some time. and Captain HELEN is the signal
officer on General Mues's STAFF
No apprehension is felt among officials mere
that anv international complications can arise
over the cutting OF these cables. owned by Rrit-
isb and French companies There is good rea-
son for believing that both the French and
British officials accept the view that the cut
ting 81 cables is a war measur" hgans' "hlch
there can ne no protest DESPITE reports 70 the
contrary the French cable COMPANY has been
COOPERATING with General Greey and the au-
thorties here 10 the fullest extent possible. and
there has never been any friction. nor Is there
likely to be. over this last phas. - IN" cable
question The only possible question "hich
could arise Is as 80 the right ~ cutting cane'
outside Of the ihroe-mile limit - Cuba, when -
lostile territory. II is understood however 'hat
this point is not likely 10 be raised. az 'o''nel
Allen and Captain HELEN proceeded with iHil
knowledge as 20 the desirability - performing
their work inside % hostile territory.