The San Francisco call., 1908-04-28
'OFF|CERS JOIN
| IN BATTLE OF
THE BLOSSOMS
Fair Women and Brave Men
Bombarded With Roses
in Merry War
Santa Barbara Boulevard Ankle
Deep in Flowers When
Fray Ends
Thousands Cheer Admiral
Thomas and Men Behind
Gums in Parade
BY w. Russell Cole


SANTA BARBARA, April III
One thing the reception committee of
Santa Barbara forgot No officer of
the American navy can sit still under
bombarGment; no man who fights
under the stars and stripes can feel
the rain of an enemy's missiles with
out returning shot for shot; no man
IN the nations blue can witness the
challenge in wonan's, eyes and fail
to return chivalrous response.
And so it fell out that the battle
OF the flowers, the most gorgeous
spectacle that Santa Barbara has ever
known. became in truth merry war.
showered by beautiful women with the
choicest blooms of the southland.
pelted by delicate hands with gorgeous
bouquets and wreaths of flowers and
with the scent of battle-not the smell
of smoke but the perfume Of natures
choicest gift-in their nostrilS the men
of the ships Ignored the order that
would have bound them to their seats.
1eaped from their places and gave
battle to a friendly host
With the smile of joy on their lips
and the Hight Of homage in their eyes
the officers OF the feet fought gallant
fight. That for once an enemy failed
fighters OF the sea. Is no fault OF theirs
But they had Joined conflict with the
daughters OF the golden west and these
fair dwellers of the out OF doors asked
and gave no quarter. 1t was a bonn
bardment that ended IN triumph for
either side and defeat for none Such
was the last engagement In the battle
OF eolors-
DAY NOT TO, BE FORGOTTEN
H.
78et from the Atlantic shore will never
forget this day in Santa Barbara, for
y swas IA sight such as few have ever.
witnessed and of which most have.
Fnevef ;dEeamed. Down the long bouie-
ward by the ocean the floral pro-.
eession passed between the ranks
OF the sailors on one side and
the closely packed tribune seats
OF the spectators on the other
sCircling before the reviewing stand of
Admiral Thomas and his officers in the
Plaza del Mar it countermarched to
the foot of the boulevard. greeted at
every step by cheers. and then again
1t turned to repeat the march The
! turning was the signal for the battle
to. begin.
From every hand came rain of
flowers. bud and bloom. bright hued
blossoms OF brilliant yellow. OF deep
est purple. of mottled shades or of
purest white. Under foot lay q carpet
b of regal richness. its woof the petals
of fragrant flowers. soft velvet and
stat ned with every tint of nature
Santa Barbara is profiigate Of its
richness. Even when the parade had
passsd and repassed the long tiers of
seats a second time. though the boule-
ward was deep with flowers. the supply
was not exhausted Back and forth.
they still -pelted each other, the people
frxf 4 ~.2 MI ar.da and he cn
cupants OF floats. carriages and autos
BATTLE OF saTADRONS
Al The plaza the last equipage of the
parade. had passed and still the officers
of the fleet fought on, now among
themselves There were cries of first
squadron and second squadron" and
the laughing men fell apart for an In
-stant found their sides and rushed
again to the conflict. hand to hand In
mad melee OF battle, hurting great
armfuls of flowers at their fellows and
taking gladly in return merciless
pelfing. .s,
The day was scorching hot. 1t was
the final triumph of the man who
planned the weather program for the
days Of the festival 1t was a day for
summer gowns for ducks and fianneIs.
for dainty parasols and for umbrellas
of fantastic Japanese designs And
they were there in profusion.
( Only the gentlest breeze from over
the ehanner sent little waves ripping
against the shore and famed the
cheeks OF the marching men. and the
spectators It was not strong enough
to loosen wayward wisps Of hair and
Haunt them in eyes that had only
time for the single purpose. but 1t
tempered the heat with a frankness that
left no room for complaint The sun
was raliant. the heavens cloudless.. and
out where the pale blue OF the sky
merged into 1.-The deeper green OF the
sea were the ships-the 16 great aoating
fortresses. whose coming had made
possible the fiesta and its pageant.
B0ULEvARD IS THRONGED
The tribune seats. fronting the boule-
ward and the ocean for a stretch OF
nearly half a mile. were filled to their
capacity long before the hour set for
the floral parade TO pass and on the
opposite side of the way were ranks
OF sight seers massed in unbroken
front against the wires stretched to
hold them back from the pavement
Every arrangement was executed
without a hitch and the great crowd was
handled without difffculty OF disorder. A
long line OF marines patrolled either side
Of the boulevard and wien the pa
rade finally came into the foot OF the
avenue there was not somber splotch
to mar the artistry OF the picture.
Even the aids OF the marshals and the
photographers who swarmed the way
were garbed in white from head to foot
The wait was not long. for a half hour
before the time set for the parade to
move there began a display OF day
light fireworks. which continued until
the sound Of bugles heralded the COM
ing OF the adnlirals-
IN FLOWER DECkED COACH
g. r~~<<~ xt~o+oh a.
huge English coach drawn by 1Ix