The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-09-03
SITUATION At BoCAs DEL TORo.
Town BesieGed by Rebels, Who Have
Cannon Mounted on Provision islam

COLON, Colombia, Aug. 81 delayed by
the Censor )-Bocas del Toro. 40 miles west
of Colon, is virtually besieged by the Lib
erals or insurgents They number at least
two hundred, and as already cabled, oc-
cupy Provision island, which is opposite
the town and commands the entrance to
the harbor. They are fairly well armed,
possessing two small modern cannon, as
we'll as plenty of ammunition, and are
commanded by a Nicaraguan. Among
them are many Nicaraguan and Costa
Rlcan Liberals.
For more than a month the Liberals have
been threatening the town. About fort
night ago they improved their position on
Provision island, about "a mile and a half
from BOcas del TorO, which also is on an
island, and the opposing forces have Oc-
casionally exchanged shots, although, with
the exception of one Jamaican wounded,
there have been no casualties.
Among the Liberals are several who own
property in Bocas del Toro. The Liberals
express no desire or intention to harm the
town or to modest foreigners or foreign
vessels. There is easy communication by
mail with the land east and west of Bocas
del TorO. Cannon, arms and ammunition
are obtained from coast towns in Costa
Rica and Nicaragua, Bocas del Toro be-
ing about forty miles from the Costa Rican
frontier.
The Liberal position is strong; and the
situation is likely to remain il is until
one side or the other makes an attack.
Such action would subject the attack
ing party to the severe fire of their OPP
pOnents, as it would be necessary to pass
from BOcas del Toro to Provision island
or vice versa in small open boats. Neither
side is inclined to take this risk. The
Liberals profess to believe that a procla-
nation of the present situation would re-
suit in a withdrawal of the government
force from BOcas del Toro Counting rein
forcements, the government has about 40
men there and the town can only be
reached by very light draught steamers
through roundabout channels.
Martial law prevails in Bocas del Toro.
The authorities have stopped communica-
ton with other ports except Colon. They
have stopped local fishing and forbidden
passage along the streets after o'clock at
night. Foreigners claim that the measures
adopted for harbor supervision materially
injure commerce. Two Germans were sent
to jail for expressing their views too freely
in cafe, and it needed the Intervention
lease.
The United States, French. British and
German consular agents in Bocas del Toro
told the Colombian commander there that
If the severe harb0r restrictions interrupt-
Ing, commerce were not abated. they would
call for gunboats These representa- lions
resulted in limited Improvement only in
harbor conditions.
The local trade, which has been chiefly
In bananas sent to the United States i
virtually dead Fruit steamers from Mo-
bile and New Orleans are getting only mar
tial cargoes, the disturbed conditions pre-
venting work on the plantations The
foreign element predominates in the town
Americans, Germans, British and Chinese
in the order named The United Fruit
Company of Boston owns many banana
plantations in the neighborhood.
The United States consular agent in
Bocas del Toro has made an urgent appeal
to the United States consul in Colon to
send gunboat. Commander Sargent of
the United States gunboat Machias. is fully
Informed of the situation, and If this does
not improve shortly the Machias probably
will proceed to BOcas del TOrO. The Lib
erals on Provision island say the presence
of the Machias will not alter the situation
they have in no way interfered with or
injured foreigners, and the government
alone is responsible for the restrictions
laid upon commerce.
Many houses in Bocas del TOro cOntinu-
ally fly American German. British or
French flags to denote the neutrality of
their occupants. The Colombian govern
ment considers that the measures taken
there have been made necessary by the
eXigencies of the case.