New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-05-01
SURRENDER. OF BoCAs DEL ToRo.
COMMANDER MCREA ACTED AS MEDIATOR
BETWEEN THE CONTENDING FORCES.

COMMANDER MiCREA ACTED AS MEDIATOR
BETWEEN THE CONTENDING FORCES.
Washington, April 3O-A detailed statement AZ the
surrender Of Rocas del Toro. Colombia. 10 the in
surgent army and the subsequent capitulaton Of
the insurgents Is contained In official report
dated April 90 from Commander Henry McCrea, OF
the United States gunboat Mach!as. On April IL.
while the government troops were holding Bocas
del Toro. hghting began. and, according to a pre-
vious ABRAMS cement foreign residents IN the town
Immediately sent 20 the Machas which with
drew a position regarded safe. In the after
noon the Liberal leaders, asked Commander Nc
Crca to send an officer to the government forces
with proposition for captuaton, and Com
mnnder McCrea arranged for conference on board
his vessel or this conference Commander Nc
Crea says:
WINGED OF the futility OF further resistance. being
opposed by double their number and having only
300 rounds OF ammunition ny the terms OF caplt-
ulation the government troops were TO lay down
ACCOMPLISHMENTS to the Liberal forces They were to
be given passports TO leave the city. the officers to
be- paroied and retain their sidearms
on the following morning the city surren-
dered to Commander McCrea who turned It over to
the senior officer OF the Liberal forces. A marine
guard from the Machias sent ashore to pro-
teCt property heretofore guarded by company OF
buejackets until the city government could
guarantee protection. Before closing the negotia-
lions with the new administrations Commander
McCrea obtained promises that under circum-
stances would any further Interference inter
ruption OF the business OF American companies be
allowed. The launches and barges taken from the
United Fruit Company. American concern. were
returned In good condition by the Liberal command
er who offered TO pay rental and damages.
Peace lasted for only twcnty-four hours. On the
afternoon OF April 10 the Colombian Government
vessels Pinzon and Marcellus appeared off Bocas
del Toro. loaded with troops Commander McCrea
word the Liberal forces ashore that these
vessels had arrived. and that II the Liberals fired
the Pinzon he could not object to a response
To the Pinzon Commander McCrea sent a message
that he denied to that ship the right to lombard
unfortihed city without the customary warning
combatants and secure the property OF Americans
and other foreigners. He offered the Machias as
place for n conference. and the government com
mander, General Gomez, came board with
quest that his ships might enter the harbOr and
land thousand men on Provision Island The re-
quest was granted. and then, after conferences be-
tween the bellgcrents on the MachiaS and the Mar
ceus. The Liberals Capitulated at p m. April D.
Under the terms of surrender the rebel troops
TO leave BoCas del Toro in thrty-s hours
with arms and munitions OF war: the government
troops which previously capituated were set free
war surrendered, and General Gomez granted Colo
mel Duendias the Liberal commander. and his
troops safe conduct to Chiriqui Grande II also
stipulate ted that the Liberal troops open at
tack twentyfour hours after their arrival Chiri-
qui Grande. The terms of the agreement had not
been carried out when the report mailed. Gen
eral Gomez told Commander McCrea that ne would
were satisfied and the local government was re-
established