Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-06-04
Cut Off From Gable Communication
With Madrid.
SUCCESS OF GEN. GREELYS EXPEDITION
Under Direction of Officers of the
Signal Service.
COMPLICATIONS UNLIKELY

1t developed for the first time today that
an important cable cutting expedition pro-
jected by Gen. Greedy, chief of the signal
service, and in charge of the strategic
supervision of cable and telegraph lines,
had met with success, and that Gen. Blanco
was probably now isolated from the outside
world, particularly from the Spanish au-
thorities at Madrid. The advices received
were Independent of those by the Asso-
ciated Press dispatch boat, via Kingston,
but they bore out these dispatches and
gave additional details.
They show that the French cable, from
Santiago to Hayti, was interrupted at 6:3O
last night, and messages have passed
over that line since. Word has not yet
come as to the interruption of the two
British cables, leaving Cuba by way of
Jamaica. but Gen. Greedy is satisfied that
these also have been cut He conferred
with Acting Secretary Allen at noon today,
anc the two exchanged congratulations on
the indications that the plan of isolating
Blanco had at last been accomplished.
In Charge of Signal officers.
The expedition was planned eight days
ago, and was entirely apart from the naval
work in connection with cutting the cables.
Authority was given Gen. Greely to fit out
ship and place 1t under the direction of
signal service officers, skilled in work on
cables. Lieut.. Col. James Allen and Capt
Martin HELEN. both of the Signal Corps
were placed in charge Of the expedition. A
steamship suitable for this kind of work
was obtained in New York. 1t was equip
ped with the latest devices for graphing
cables, and was as complete in it's outfit as
the cable ships used by the cable COM
r1 Shn orri,-
ter part of last week. and last Sunday morn
ing the expedition started from Key West,
the gunboat Dolphin acting as convoy. The
trip to the east end of Cuba took a day or
two. and the actual work of graphing for
the cables began about last Tuesday.
Within four days the work has been ac-
complished. The promptness with which
this has been done is regarded as a tribute
to the skill and expert knowledge of Colonel
Allen and Captain Hellen. Colonel Allen
has been stationed at Key West for some
time. and Captain HELEN is the signal off,
Ger on General Miles staff
Complications Unlikely.
No apprehension is felt among officials
hers that any international complications
can arise over the cutting of these cables
owned by British and French companies
There is good reason for believing that
both the French and British officials ac-
cept the view that the cutting of cables is
a war measure against which there can be
no protest.
Despite reports to the contrary, the
French Cable Company has been co-operat-
ing with General Greedy and the authorities
here to the fullest extent possible, and there
has never been any friction, nor is there
likely to be over this last phass of the cable
Questi
The only possible question which could
arise Is as to the right of cutting cables
outside of the three-mile limit of Cuba. 1t
Is understood, however, that this point is
not likely to be raised, as Colonel Allen and
Captain HELEN proceeded with full knowl-
edge as to the desirability of performing
their work inside Of the hostile territory.