The Washington times., 1903-10-25

happen when it bursts? OF the hRVery
Of the Russian soldiers and Of the dare
devil recklessness of their officers, the
schoolboy knows full wen. OF the dar-
ing OF the intrepid Japanese, the world
has recently learned. and will never
question It. A struggle between such
troops would rock the old Continent
il was reserved for Japan to show the
world what the torpedo boat-that swift.
half-hidden dirkknife of modern navies--
could do in war: and when the struggle
comes with Russia such desperate mid
night charges as those OF February >
and c. 1895 which accomplished what
the whole Japanese feet could not &C
complish I'm the great all-day battle OF
the Yalu. may be fully expected
A Series of Victories.
The Japan-China war was a continual
series Of Japanese victories. ending in
a thrilling climax at WeI-hai-wei. where
this fleet which fought 50 vanantly in
the great battle OF the Yalu was de-
stroyed. and China lost all control OF
the strategic Yellow Sea which washed
her northern boundaries. The story
which precedes that climax is quickly
told. The war was, declared because
China insisted upon throwing troops in
20 Korea 10 suppress the depredations
OF an anti-CathOlic band of plunderers
which threatended Korea, as China was
lately threatened by the rioting Boxers
japanese troops Instantly poured into
southern Korea, and began an invasion
from the southern end OF that peninsula
up into Manchuria. and down the next
peninsula TO the fortress at its south
ern extremity. the Gibraltar OF the yell
10y Sea. Port Arthur.
IL was only a triumphant march. At
every point the Chinese army retired
after more or less lighting. and the
Rising Sun at last waved from the bat
tered walls OF Port Arthur In the
meantime the fleets Of the two antago-
nists had met OF the mouth OF the
Yalu and the contest, while not en-
tirely a satisfactory victory for the
japanese, yet proved they were masters
OF the situation. The best OF the Chi
nese fleet fought the day through with
great herOism, and. though battered.
staggered away from the battle-ground
safely and in a few months were afioat
again and ready for another defeat.
Sheltered at Wei-hai-wei
Upon the capture or Port Arthur the
Chinese feet sailed across the Straits
of Pechilli 10 the sheltered. commOdious
harbor Of Wei-hai-wei, where England
has lately raised her flag. where they
lay in wait for the japanese feet. COM
PEELED by despicable instructions from
Pekin to remain within a radius which
allowed them neither the power TO fight
at advantage nor to retreat except into
the deathtrap harbpr behind them.
japan flushed with victory, could not
rest easy until this fleet was destroyed,
and orders soon came from Tokyo to
Of Dor fyfFt q,
capture Wei-hai-wei and annihilate the
fleet which was seeking refuge there
nothing opposed Japanese arms from
advancing upon Pekin save this squad
ron which guarded the Gulf OF Pechilli.
4 his fleet consisted OF the ironelad men
of-war Ting-yuen, Chen-yuen, each Of
the same size as our New York, the
ironcIads Wei-yuen, Lai-yuen. and
Ching-yuen. nine other ships and a tor
pedo notilla,
OF for China's Coast.
The Wei-hai-veI expedition was put
in charge OF Marshal Count Oyama. who
had so successfully commanded opera
lions against Port Arthur. Fifty trans
ports received the army ut Tailenwar
Oh the 18th and 10Th of January. and
protected by the first and second nying
and the main squadrons. departed foi
the China coast.
The attack on Wei-hai-wei was made
by both land and naval forces. Wei
hai-wei is situated near the extreme enc
Of the Shantung promontory. Behind
the end Of the promOntory is the HttI,
harbor IA Tunching Bay To this poin'
the transports made their way. Tbs
landing was successfully effected by
p. m. OF the 10Th. IL was understoo,
that the total available Chinese forces
about Wei-hai-wei numbered less thar
BOO men. To meet these division anS
a brigade were landed al Tunching Bay
The first operation was the capture o
the town Of Yunching. situated elgh
miles from the bay. which was made
japanese base OF operations.
At the Base of Operations.
on the 18th the entire army arrived a
the base OF operations and on the sam
day Marshal Oyama also arrived.
on the following day the advance wa
ordered The land forces were divides
into two columns. the right and left
The former, commanded by Lieutenan
General Kurok was ordered forwar'
aIong the coast road by way OF tn
towns Keukeh. Shih-hea-ho. and Paou
hea 10 the strategic height 10 the south
east OF Wei-hai-wei harbor. Pohchih
yaisu. The left column, under the com
mand OF Lieutenant General Sakuma
was ordered 10 the same destination D.
route lying farther inland. by way o
the villages Of kunghea. Keatowsae
and Chang hea-kowtse BY the 29t
each column accomplished it's duty an
the fortified heights about the bay o
Wei-hai-wei alone were left in posses
sion OF the enemy.
Defended by Hills.
Wei-hai-wei harbor is a regular linden
tation oval in outline. defended OF
either side by high hills. The mouth o
the harbor is defended by large island
Liukung Island and the northwest pro
montOry which Is the narrow entrance
, defended b. the small island Hwang
and between the Liukung Island and tn
southeast promontory. which is tn
broad entrance, defended BY the Jih Isl
and. The former is the western. the lat
ter the eastern entrance.
According 10 the official Chinese rCDOr