The Mena star., 1898-06-08
CUBA IS ISOLATED.
After a Months Dangerous Work
 Americans Cut the Last Cable.
A Spanish Ofhcer Visits Sampson ana Is shown What Our Vessels Can Do-Re- ported Sinking of Torpedo Boat
 Destroyer Unconfrmcd.

Destroyer Unconfrmed.
 OFg SANTIAGO DE CUBA, June G.--The last cable strands binding Cuba to the outside world were cut Saturday after noon by cable vessel conveyed here by the United States dispatch gunboat Dolphin. This black sea crab delved all day along the coast, hour by hour, and its powerful claws at length brought up the barnacle- clustered cable strands and snapped them and last night Cuba was wholly isolated. The first cable picked up was that running to Kingston. It was found early in the morning. The coast loop connecting Santiago and Guantanamo was then cut Proceeding to Guam tanamo, the cable vessel finally grap- pied and severed the Hay tien cable. This ends the cable cutting operations begun a month ago, when the Marble head and the Windom lost five men in fight off Cienfuegos, where three cables were crippled and several hun dred Spaniards were killed by shells from the warships. Afterwards the St. Louis and the Wampatuck cut the San Juan de Porto Rico cable at Santi- ago. The strands cut yesterday were the only ones remaining, except few coast loops, and these will probably be severed in short time. The cutting of these cables is almost as serious for Spaniards in the coast towns as the cutting of the foreign cables, the land wires connecting the coast towns be- ing wholly at the mercy of the insur- gents. Therefore, in the event of Ameri- can troops landing in Cuba the absence of the coast loops will seriously inter- fere with the hasty mobilization of the Spanish troops.
 Spanish Ofacer Visits Sampson.
 OFF SANTIAGO, June Delayed in Transmission. All the members of the Merrimac expedition are safe. Two are slightly wounded, but Lieut. Hob son escaped without a scratch. This al- most incredible good news was brought out yesterday afternoon to Rear Admiral Sampson by Admiral Ceryera's chief of staff under a flag of truce. Capt Oviedo was conducted to Admiral Sampson and, after salt; ssii;;::es ::es had been exchanged, he said;
 Admiral Cervera, the commander of the
 
 with the brilliant courage shown by the men who sunk the steamer Merrimac in our harbor, and in admiration of their courage he has di- rected me to say to their countrymen that they are alive and, with the exception of two of the men, who are slightly hurt, they uninjured. They are now prisoners Of war and being we'll cared for and will be treated with every consideration.
 Admiral Sampson expressed his thanks for the kindness and gener- osity of Admiral Cervera and invited Capt. Oviedo to his cabin, where they talked for some time alone. Later they adjourned to the quarter deck, where they chatted pleasantly. Admiral Sampson improved the opportunity to show off the ships of the American fleet. In succession the Texas, Ore gon, Marblehead and Iowa steamed close to the flagship in response to sig nal from the admiral, and Capt Oviedo was given an opportunity to judge what chance he and his fellows of the Cape Verde fleet would have for their lives if ever they came sailing out of the harbor of Santiago de Cuba.
 Tine Report Not Confirmed
 OFF SANTIAGO DE CUBA, June 7.-- Whether the American fleet sank Spanish torpedo boat on Friday night has not been absolutely confirmed. At ten o'clock Friday night the cruiser New Orleans discovered what ap- peared to be torpedo boat de- stroyer close to the shore and signaled the flagship New York that it was evil dent night torpedo attack was to be made. The New York and New Orleans opened fire and their shells burst around the dark object Finally 13-inch shell from the Massachusetts (not the Oregon, as first reported) was fired and exploded, and the search lights of the vessels were turned on the spot where the supposed destroyer had been sighted. but not trace of the boat could be found, and 1t is be- lieved by the officers of the New York that she had been sunk.
 Funston Leaves for Ills Regiment
 TAMPA, Fla, June 7.-Col. Fred Fun ston left here yesterday evening for San Francisco, where he will join his regiment, the Twentieth Kansas. He has been here some days in conference with Gen. Miles concerning Cuban matters. His information was of great value in giving positive intelligence