The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-04-23
SURRENDER OF
BOCAS DEL TORO
DR. Terry Of Greensboro Wit
messed the Battle
AMERICAN LAUNCHES TAKEN
Great Demand for American Flags
From the BattIeships to Protect
the Zone of United
States Citizens,

Mobile, April 22.-The surrender OF
Bocas on April II has been reported by
cable. The fruit steamers Hispania and
Mount Vernon, arriving hero today, bring
news of the battle and alsc Of the unsuc-
cessful return of the American launches
seized by the Liberals. The Hispania left
Bocas early in the morning of the 18th,
and the Mount Vernon left five hours
later. DR.. J. E. Terry of Greensboro, Ala,
who was on the Mount Vernon witnessed
the fight and describes 1t. The excite
ment In Bocas was intense upon receipt
of the news that the Liberals were
marching on the city in overwhelming
numbers.
The American residents were greatly
alarmed and appealed to the commander
of the United States gunboat Machias for
protection. The women and children were
speedily taken aboard the grnboat, but
the men had to remain and look after
their places of business. To protect these
a number of marines were landed and a
picket line thrown around the American
business quarter. When the Liberals APP
preached they also threw out a picket
line between the American line and the
part of the city occupied by the conserva-
tives or government troops. which was
done to prevent the conservatives from
taking refuge inside the American picket
line.
Battle Began at Daybreak.
At daybreak the battle began by the
Liberals. and for two hours it ragged
without any sign of weakening. The
smoke could be seen from the deck Of
the Mount Vernon and the rattle of the
musketry, even the cries of those who
were wounded, could be heard. The fire
became scattering and then the con-
servatives were in retreat. Before the
Mount Vernon left the battle was over,
and but an occasional shot was heard
After the fight progressed In the early
morning the demand for protection by
Americans was very great. Nearly every
house was seen flying the American flag
The captain of the Mount Vernon ex-
hausted his supply OF flags in his desire
to afford protection.
An incident that fastened the attack on
Bocas was the attempt of the Machias
to recover the launches which the liberals
had taken from the United Fruit Compa-
ny. Tho Machias did not get the
launches.
Were on an Island.
The liberals were on an island near
the Lagoon and received the demand of
the Machias with great courtesy but set
forth that the liberal army was In des-
perate state located on the island and
unable TO escape II the launches were
given back The conservatives would
pounce upon them and not a man would
be left alive. The request was made that
the launches be left with the liberals for
that one night. The liberals would move
away to some safer place and the launch
es will be returned to the owner the next
morning. 1t is said the commander of
the Machias consented. The liberals en-
barked on two fiat boats. towed by the
launches but instead of moving away
they descended Immediately upon Bocas
1t is believed that the demand for the
launches caused the liberals to attack
Bocas sooner than was planned. So far
as known the launches have not yet been
returned.