The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-06-14

I the Spanish tug had to- go into shallow
water and around the wreck before she
could get out. When she emerged, the
Spanish officer on board, after an ex-
change Of compliments, said the Span
iards has seen what they believed to
be a flag of truce on the Iowa and had
come to answer it. They were polite
ly informed that they had been de-
ceived by the awning over the lookout
in the fOretop and that the American
fleet had no occasion to send up flags
Of truce The Spanish tug then re-
turned to the harbor.
Attention was called to the fictitious
story to the effect that the auxiliary
cruiser st. Paul, with Captain Sigsbee
on board, had first located Cervera's
fleet here. There is absolutely no foun-
dation for such a yarn. The scouts did
not arrive off Santiago until twelve
hours after Commodore Schley and his
squadron arrived and they were very
much surprised at the announcement
Of the whereabouts of the Will-o-the-
Wisp fleet.
SANTIAGO REPORTED TAKEN.
Cape Haytien, Hayti, June $40 p.
ma man who arrived here today in
a schooner from Turks island, one Of the
Bahamas and about 40 miles north of
Hayti, said that it was reported there
On Tuesday that Santiago de Cuba mad
been taken by the Americans.
Gable communication between Cape
Haytien and Cuba is still interrupted.
SIMPSONS CABLE CONNECTIONS
WITH WASHINGTON.
Copyright by Associated Press.)
On Board the Associated Press Dis
patch Boat Dauntless, Off Santiago de
Cuba, Wednesday Night, Jun 8, via
Kingston, ia, Thursday, June 9.-7:3O
a. m.-Communicatlon between the is
land of cuba and the outer world was
severed yesterday. The Kingston
Santiago cable vas cut on Monday and
the Marblehead, Yankee n ST. Louis
cut the Eaytien cable running into
Guatanamo bay, yesterday. The ends
were buOyed and Rear admiral Samp-
son car establish communication with
Washington direct.
GUANTANAMO TAKEN.
The Marblehead also engaged and
drove a Spanish gunboat into Guatan-
mo harbor and shel1ed and reduced the
antiquated Notifications. The insur-
gents 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 insur-
gents and the fleet is constant. The
Cubans are active and arms, ammuni-
ton and supplies for them landed by
the Suwanee yesterday in great guam
titles. The insurgents and Spaniards
fight daily.
The MarbIehead, on Monday, when
the insurgents had pressed forward
west Of Santiago shelled the Spaniards,
who fled to the mountains ~checkering
the path followed in their retreat with
dead and wounded.
Santiago de Cuba is on the verge of
starvation. All the food has been seiz-
ed for the army and navy and the
troops and sailors are on half rations.
Rear Admiral Sampson has officially
declared that the purpose of the bonn
bardment of Santiago de Cuba was to
clear the way for the troops. The OBJ
ject has been attained.
The Admiral has personally COM
mended Ensign Palmer for approach
ing within $50 yards Of the Spanish bat
teries at night and learning that the
Spaniards were remOunting guns.
DELAYING THE EXCHANGE OF
HOBSON.
The American naval commander is
anxious to bring about the exchange of
Lieutenant Hobson and his gallant
mpani of the Merrimac. The ad-
miral 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 prison
ers taken from a prize by the Marble
head off Cienfuegos. Admiral Cervera
considered the matter all night and
sent word today that he was powerless
to act. He referred the matter to the
military governor, and the latter IN re-
turn referred it to Captain Blanco. A
long delay is probable.