Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-06-09

rency to the repor; that three Spanish men
of-war had run the blockade into Havana.
The very first question that arose was
as to the identity of these ships, If the re-
port be true, an. more than officer
Immediately recalled the fact that the de-
partment was still in some doubt as to the
exact whereabouts O. all of the Spanish
warships, not only of Cerveras fleet, but
others that had preceded it into West In
dian waters. The naval officers made light
OF these fears. taking their stand on Samp-
sons report th2t six Spanish warsnips were
in Santiago harLor. They admitted that it
would be no difficult task for warshiD
to run the Havana blockade at this mo-
ment weakened as it has been by the with
drawal of the fast and power ful ships for
service at Santiago.
II is recalled, too tha. the reports of re-
cent date from Jamaica show the existence
of very heavy gales off the Cuban ooast,
and 1T is comparatively easy in binding
tropical squalls Cor vessel to escape de-
lection while running blockade. Still. the
impression is general that if any Spanish
warsnips really passed the blockade line
they were little more than small gunboa is
mere armed yachts-tlilt numerous
along the bayous of the north Cuban coast
Communication With Cuba Severed
Copyright, 1895 by As ociatad Press,
On Board the Associated Press Dispatch
Boat Dauntless. off Santiago de Cuba,
Wednesday Night, June 8, via Kingston,
Jamaica, Thursday. June 9.-Communica-
tion between the Island of Cuba and the
outer world was severed yesterday. The
MISUNDERSTANDING cable was cut on Mon
day and the Marbehead, Yankee and St.
Louis cut the Haitien cable, running into
Guantanamo bay, yesterday. The ends
We're buoyed and Rear Admiral Sampson
can establish direct communication with
Washington at will
The Marblehead also engaged and drove
small Spanish gunboat into Guantanamo
harbor and shelled and reduced the anti
quated fortifcations.
Insurgents CO-Operated.
The insurgents co-operated on the land
side.
The place is being held until troops ar
rive. 1t is contemplated to establish a
general base here.
Communication between the insurgents
and the fleet is constant. The Cubans are
active, and arms, ammunition and supplies
for them were landed by the Suwanee yes
terday in great quantities.
The insurgents and the Spaniards fight
daily.
The Marblehead ON Monday, when the
insurgents had pressed forward west of
Santiago, shelled the Spaniards, who fled
to the mountains. checkering the path fol-
lowed in their retreat with dead and
wounded.
On Verge of Starvation.
Santiago de Cuba is on the verge of
starvation. All the food has been seized
for the army and navy and the troops and
sailors are on half rations.
Rear Admiral Sampson has officially de-
clared that the purpose of the lombard
ment of Santiago de Cuba was to clear the
way for the troops. The object has been
attained.
The admiral has publicly commended En-
sign Palmer for approaching within $50
learning that the Spaniards were remount-
ing guns.
TryfnE to Exchange HObsOn.
The American naval commander Is anx-
iouS to bring about the exchange of Lieut..
Hobson and mis- gallant companions of the
Merrimac. The admiral sent the Vixen
with a flag of truce to the entrance of the
harbor yesterday, offering to exchange for
the lieutenant and his party some prisoners
taken from a prize of the Marblehead off
Cienfuegos. Admiral Cervera considered
the matter all night and sent word today
that he was poweriess to act. He referred
the matter to the military governor, and
the latter IN turn referred it to Captain