The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-04-28
the service rendered by the balloon detach-
ment, as well as by the whole Signal Corps,

the service rendered by the balloon detach-
ment, as well as by the whole Signal Corps,
was satisfactory.
After the surrender OF Santiago the labors
OF the Signal Corps were largely increased,
for the reason that tho telegraph lines in
| the eastern section OF Cuba, as, indeed, In
almost the whole Of the island, were the
property Of Spain. Whatever was to be the
ultimate policy Of the United States with
reference to the telegraph system In Santi-
ago province, it had to be Immediately put
in good condition for military purposes.
A similar course was later pursued with
regard to the Ines in the central and west
ern parts OF the island, the result being
hat the arrangements for Geographic conI-
munication are now more extensive and
efficient than any that Cuba ever before
possessed. II is estimated that between
200 and 300 men OF the Signal Corps
are needed to care for and operate the
Cuban ines required for the military
administration Of the island. In Porto
Rico practically the same conditions OBJ
tain. There, also, the telegraph and tele-
phone lines were the property OF Spain,
but now belong to the United States.
The task OF governing Porto Rico with
a small military force Is, OF course,
greatly facilitated by prompt and trust
worthy means OF Geographic commu-
nication, and Major-Gen. BROOKE, when
in command, reported that 100 men Of the
Signal Corps were necessary for the per-
manent fgarrisoning OF the island. AS at
present Porto Rico is only reached over the
cables OF the West Indies and Panama Gable
Company, an English corporation, Gen.
GREELY recommended in the report before
us that it should be connected by a deep
sea cable from M%ayaguez with the Cuban
system at Santiago.
Immediately after the capture OF Cavite,
four signal officers. familiar with the Span
ish language, and six enlisted men were
despatched to Manila, and, after the organ
lzation OF the Volunteer Signal Corps, an
additional force OF thirteen officers and 10
men was sent thither. A war cable was
speedily laid between Cavite and Manila,
and telephone and ~telegraphio commune
cations were established and maintained
between the headquarters OF the command
ing General and his detached commands
and depots. AS the army moved forward
the Signal Corps carried to the advanced
stations its telegraph lines, and repaired
them under fire. After the occupation OF
Manila the Manila-Hong Kong cable was
repaired and reopened for use several days
in advance Of the expected time, without
awaiting the arrival Of an English cable
ship.
There seems to have been a ~misapprehen-
linn fnlphinn fhn nVnrnign NJ n aanOnrGhin
over the press by the Signal Corps during
the wal. Gen. GREEDY reports that he
carefully refrained from interfering with
the publication OF newspaper matter in the
United States, although THE Sun Press AS
ISOLATION and many leading journals fire.
quently expressed their willingness to
forego the disclosure Of any information
that might be detrimental to the success
Of military operations. The only censor
ship exercised by the Chief Signal Officer
was over such cables and land telegraph
lines as were militarily occupied. In many
OF these cases the direct inspection OF mes
sages was intrusted to the superintendent
under the general supervision OF an officer
OF the Signal Corps. The interests of the
United States were thus subserved, while
the privacy Of the affairs Of the company
was shielded from intrusion.
The next report Of the Signal Office will
be awaited with curiosity, owing to the i'm
portance OF the question raised by the
Eastern Cable Company. which has put for
ward a claim to a long extension OF its
franchise, based on a concession secured
from the Spanish Government after the
| outbreak OF the war.