The Washington times., 1904-02-28
DETAILS OF RUSSIAN
AND JAPANESE BASES
Vladvosok Port Arthur, Yezo Island Korea and Other
Places as They Really Appear Today.

the military under a governor. while the
civil community is represented by
mayor and town council.
Port Arthur. at the TIP Of the Man
churian peninsula. between the Bay of
Korea and the Gulf az PechiI, is like
a claw Of the Great Bear threatening
the heart Of the Chinese empire. 1t is
within easy striking distance of Pekin,
and equally favorable for attack on the
Korean capital While other nations
nave established themselves here and
there along the coasts. Russia has
lunged the body Of its empire into these
territories
Before it was taken by the peace
loving Russians a few years ago, Port
Arthur was a naval arsenal of the Chi
nese. under the name Of Lu-Shun- Kou.
The waters Of the gulf, entering be
tween two high hills. expand into a har-
Dor which is excellent, though Of linn
tied capacity. II is said that not more
than four large bsttleships can find
room 10 maneuver there.
Frowning forts occupy every hill, and
the soldiers swarm everywhere. Vice
roy AIexieff's headquarters are here. At
last accoUnts-and the Russians do not
favor knowledge of such things. forbid
teries consisted in part OF 30 12-inch guns,
a. 6-inch. and 81 4-inch rapid-firing guns.
The a2-inch weapons have a range Of
more than seven miles. The barracks in
times of peace were for 5000 troops.
The town is situated a mile TO the
west with handsome, wide streets, laid
out at right angles. Within the last
three years many public buildings and
fine dwellings have been put up. The
population is cosmopolitan. life reckless
and picturesque. The summer heat is
excessive. and the winter sharp. Port
Arthur is really a military and naval
stronghold without trade. It's CONNER
cial complement is Dalny.
This is the port whence the Russian
cruisers Varisg and Korietz were late
~ summoned to their doom by the
eneIny's feet waiting outside. Here also
during the war of 1894 the Japanese sunk
a Chinese transport and marched
twenty-six miles through a difficult
country TO Seoul the capital. defeating
the Chinese defenders. The ship APP
proaches the hsrbor through a multi
tude Of small islands in the estuary Of
the Han. The outer anchorage is a long
distance from the inner. and the sam
pan man is ready to take you ashore
or even up the Han. but the railway
is the quicker journey TO Seoul
The sea is opalescent until toward
the muddy mouth of the river; there are
gorgeous sunsets among the many small
islands.
The population has been chiefly native,
next japanese. then Chinese. and a very
few Westerners. The Americans con-
structed the Seoul-Chemulpo Railway,
-.
ments at the capital Besides large in
land traffic. ChemuIpo Is the center OF
a big coastwise trade for which modern
vessels are being used. The royal mint
was transferred from Seoul to Chemulpo
in 1892, partly because the ammoniated
water at the capital was a handicap to
the chemical processes involved. Silver.
nickel. and copper coins are made The
smallest is the cash. 500 20 the dollar
Gin 1891. each with a square hole in
the center. for the purpose OF stringing
them together. There is complaint that
the copper currency is debased. though
one might wonder how il would be pos
sibIe 10 debase copper. A Korean
counterfeiter has time TO initiate cash.
on the eve Of the festival OF Yakushi
nyoral Motomachi. the Russian sdua-
dron. supposed 20 be from Vladivostok.
threatened Yezo. Two japanese steam
ers. while on their way 10 Otaru a port
on the west coast OF Yezo Island. were
fired on by four Russian men-of-war.
One was sunk and the other escaped
The Russian squadron when last heard
from. endangered Hakodate and the en-
tire coast OF Yezo
This picturesque island IS in many
ways the pride Of Japan. 1t played
small part in the early records. until
the Amos or hairy aborigines were ex-
lied 10 81 from the main island Of the
Japan group Poets and artists seek II
as the abode OF the japanese Ulysses.
Yoshitsune.
The Tsugaru Straits. Of which Hako-
date Is the crown. have been sung in
song and story. as have also the great
row OF temples on high ground which
are the first evidences Of the town. The
scenery is volcanic. the hills around
bearing traces Of upheavals IN ancient
times. Trade with other ports began IN
1880 20 make the port important. and the
POPULATION has rapidly risen, so late
report SAYS. beyond The 20 900 mark. Cat
tie breeding has been taken UP. and the
rich pasture land beyond the town seems
well adapted for it. The railway from
Otarunai 10 SappOro. opened In 1880. and
since carried into HorOnai and the coal
districts. has aided Hakodate I'm its COM
mercial progress. The Methodist Epis-
cOpaI, Church OF England, Roman Cath
Ole. and Greek Orthodox faiths are well
represented.