The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-02-05
GUNS AND SHELLS
FOR THE PACIFIC
Color of Cruiser Buffalo Does
Not Mean Conflict, Although
Forts Are Aiming

The United States auxiliary cruiser
Buffalo. Captain Bostwick. gave the
port a nervous chill yesterday by
steaming into the harbor wearing a
full suit Of war paint. When the Buff
falo left here about a month ago with
a detachment of marines for Honolulu
the navy transport was shining with
the white paint and cleaning brass
that for many years have been dis
tinctive features of the ships of the
United States navy. Ships of other
navies wear war paint every day.
American waTships have always
dressed in white and gold except in
time of war, and the Bunalo's dark
gray appearance following close on
Hobson's cries Of wolf the Sacra-
mento anti-Japa nese demonstration
and Count Hattoris peevish outburst
in the Japanese parliament caused mo-
mentary alarm.
A NATTER OF ECONOMY
Captain Bostwicks explanation, how
ever, was as reassuring as Count Ko-
mura's expressions of good will. He
had never heard of Grove Johnson, re-
CARDS Hobson as slightly hysterical.
and the Buffalo was painted gray while
the ship lay at Honolulu more than a
week before Court Hattori expressed
the opinion that his little brown breth-
rem were not getting a fair deal in the
United States.
The change in color, a measure of
economy as much as anything else,
was in obedience to an order of the
navy department long under contem-
plation and issued some months ago.
The order left the time for changing
the color of the ships to the discretion
Of the commanding officer. when
convenient" the order read; 1t applies
to all ships. and before long there Will
be no more white fleets and the poets
viii have to hunt up a new word that
describes the peculiar shade of gray
with which Americans became familiar
during the Spanish-American war.
WAR MUNITIONS SHIPPED
Although the Buffalo's somber coat
does not mean war. Uncle Sam is taxi
ing active steps to be ready for trouble
in the Pacific if it should come. About
the time the Buffalo arrived the tor
pedo fiotilla that has been wintering
in southern waters came flying home
and proceeded direct to Mare island
under orders to make speedy repairs
The destroyers that arrived, all from
San Diego. were the Paul Jones, Law
renee, Farragut, Goldsborough and
Davis.
At the Union iron works yesterday
two u inch guns, manufactured in
the east for the fortifications at Pearl
Harbor, were lifted by means of a
giant crane from the railroad cars to
the hold of the barge Mohican. The
guns are SO feet long and each weighs
81 tons. The Mohican will leave here
today for Honolulu in tow OF the
steamer Lurline.
MINES FOR PHILIPPINES
On board the liner Asia, which sails
tomorrow are submarine mines for
the defense of Philippine harbors
about 10 miles of auxiliary telegraph
ca bic, 100000 rounds of rifle car
tridges and a big shipment OF empty
five inch shells.
The German steamer Nicomedia.
which is under charter to the Harri-
man interests. sailed yesterday from
Portland for Manila with a large ship
ment of ammunition and empty
shells.
Lead Color for Warships
WASHINGTON. Feb. 4.-Orders for
painting all naval vessels lead color
went out a few months ago and are
gradually going into effect. The
change has no significance, according
to navy department people. The an
nouncement was made at the time.
Return Creates Speculation
MARE ISLAND NAVY YARD, Feb. 4.