Based on true events, only Perdicaris was a man, did not have his son with him, the Marines never had to shoot anyone or anything, their only action was to secure the customs house without firing a shot, and Perdicaris was released without further incident or gun-play.
Trivia: The Marine officer in this movie is, of course, based on the real Marine officer in charge of the USS Brooklyn's shore party. This real Marine officer was involved in another historical event (four years earlier) immortalized by Hollywood (and closer to reality, sort of), can you name that movie? Or, the Marine Officer?