Until then no soldiers had appeared in the city of Boston itself. The armed ring had contented itself with encircling all the suburbs. Now the telephone bell rang in the City Hall, and a voice asked for the Mayor.
The voice was that of the hostile commander, speaking from Brookline.
“Your defenses are in our hands,” he said. “Our guns command every part of your city. I have the honor to demand unconditional and peaceable surrender at once, with all property of every kind. I regret to say that I can give you no time for discussion. I must request you to give me your answer now.”
The Mayor, with the instrument at his ear, looked around at the members of the Committee. “It is the army commander,” he said. “He demands unconditional surrender.”
“There is only one answer to make,” said one of the Committee.
“We Surrender”
The Mayor turned to the telephone. “We surrender,” he said.
“Very well,” was the response. “A body of troops under a general officer will enter the city at once. They will have orders to punish any disturbance severely. I shall have the honor of calling on you shortly after my men have occupied the town.”
A little later the Citizens’ Committee saw cavalry with machine guns approach the City Hall. Similar bodies were taking position in all the squares and parks, and posting their little guns where they could sweep the intersecting streets. Up and down Washington Avenue, and up and down all the side streets, were sentinels and guard parties. A wagon train was encamped on the Common.
And a little later still, preceded by light cavalry, three automobiles rolled through the streets to the City Hall. In each sat four men, dressed in campaign uniforms. They were leaning back, smoking, and looking with interest at the buildings. They seemed not to see the silent crowds that lined the sidewalks.