Los Angeles herald., 1908-04-27

WELCOME ROYAL
NORTHERN RESORT GIVES THE
FLEET GLAD RECEPTION
FLORAL PARADE AND BATTLE
ARE FEATURES TODAY
Great Crowds Swarm the Beach and
Visit Sixteen Big 6attIeships
Now Anchored at That
Port

SANTA BARBARA, April 90 ne
spontaneity of the welcome proffered
by the people of this city yesterday
seems to be rivaled by the kindly ac-
tion of the elements, for nature is put
ting on her prettiest smiles, While
dainty hands of the maid and matron
and members of the sterner sex were
denuding fiowerland of her richest
gems to gather posies for the compile
tion of the dreams of loveliness to be
wrought in floral designs for the pa
rade of the flowers tomorrow after
| noon.
Natures action in contributing to the
success of the affair first came Wednes-
day, when Jupiter Pluvius blessed the
| land with a downpour, bathing the
| flowers and exhibiting their brilliant
| hues to better advantage. besides clear
| Ing the atmosphere and laying the dust.
After delivering just enough aqua to
do the work needed, Old Sol, not to be
| outdone by any of the myths. cast his
broad smile over the land and the pop
| pies, daffodils, geraniums and posies in
| general showed a naughty little twinkle
| in their eyes.
All was expectancy. Flora, the god
dess from whose realm will come the
symbols of hospitality, became loyal
coadjutor until one by one all crea-
ton seemed to become a part and par
eel of a harmonious whole, their one
idea singled on the reception to be ten
dered the men-o'wars men.
Day Quiet One
After the cordial festivities of Satur-
day-reception day-the quietude Of the
Sabbath is in marked contrast. Ad-
miral Thomas has thrown open all the
ships of his fleet today and bid the
people call and spend time with the
men. Early in the day crowds packed
the street cars, and the thrOngs that
were not able to avail themselves of
ride because of the crowded condition
of the cars hiked to the beach, and as
many as could secure transportation to
the war boats did so. The weather is
delightful and the summer girl and
clubman in flannels are much in evil
dence.
During the morning 400 men from
tho fleet. twenty-five from each ship,
were granted shore leave to attend
services at the old mission. Admiral
Thomas will not restrict the liberty
here, but has planned to permit 5000
men ashore each day. The city is pa
troled by provost guards from the
ships. The men are behaving in splen-
did manner.
Just as the night gun doomed from
the flagship last night the Home Tele-
phone company of this city completed
making connections with the Connec-
ticut for every subscriber of that COM
pany on the mainland. so that the
flagship may be reached by friends of
the men, and in order to facilitate mat
ters for the admiral.
Majestically riding on a sea as
smooth as glass lay the sixteen battle-
ships in the following formation: Those
forming the first division, closest to
shore, are United States flag ship Con-
necticut, extreme west of line; then
eastward in the order named are the
Kansas, Vermont. Louisiana, Georgia,
Rhode Island. New Jersey and Vir-
ginia. Rear lines from west to east,
Alabama. Illinois, Kearsarge. Ken
lucky. Maine, Missouri, Ohio and Min
neSota.
The big fleet does not by any means
exhaust the anchorage at this port, for
there is yet room for twenty times as
many more ships of the same type. In
fact, the warships of the world could
anchor here, and then there would be
room for more. The presence of the
fleet at this port will prove an object
lesson to government officials that
sooner or later will rebound to the inn
portance of Southern California Is an
adequate point for base of naval
supplies, and Santa Barabra harbor as
rendezvous in time of international
strife with the orient or from any at
tacking powers on the western sea-
board.
Officers Entertained
At o'clock this afternoon the officers
of the fleet were entertained at an in
formal tea at the country place, LA
Chiquita," of Francis T. Underhill, in
Montecito. Mr.. and Mrs. Underhill
had as guests the society bellies of this
city, many of whom will be partici-
pants in the dance of the flowers. the
crowning event by society of the visit
of the fleet.
The beautiful tropical gardens of the
Underhill place were scene of anima-
tion for an hour with it's ten score Of
naval men and beautiful women.
After the affair many of the officers
visited the club house of the Country
club. which occupies commanding
position less than a quarter of a mile
from the scene of the reception.
Band concerts, morning, afternoon
and evening, enlivened the beach, and
two games of baseball morning and
afternoon, supplied amusement for the
tars.
All roads will lead to Santa Barbara
tomorrow for the big floral parade.
with it's five score of flower -garlanded
equlpageS passing In review before the
officers of the fleet, and to be culmin-
ated with the battle of flowers when
participants and spectators will bonn
bard each other in the merriest of
mimic floral warfare.
Admiral Thomas will be thrown a
huge bouquet of flowers; he in turn
will toss it back, and the battle of
flowers will be on. The vehicles will
pass in review twice after the initial
entry and during these last periods of
the parade the exchange of floral
courteses will take place.
In order to offer the best possible
service to towns near this city, the
Southern Pacific company has ordered
all overland trains to stop at all sta
tions in Ventura, Santa Barbara and
San Luis Obispo counties tomorrow.
Special night trains are being run from
this city to accommodate the crowds
from nearby places who come here to
spend the day.
NAVY DEPARTM ENT SEEKING