The Weiser semi-weekly signal. (Weiser, Washington Co., Idaho) 1904-1911, 1904-05-21
YALU RIVER DISTRICT.
Scene of Great Land Battle Be-
tween Japan and Russia.
FAIRLY OPEN COUNTRY, BUT HILLY

Picturesque Stream Some Three
Hundred Miles In Length.
"Forked Ways" is the name given by
the Chinese to the lower Yalu river
the scene of the first important land
battle between the Japanese and Rus
sian troops. Above the Yalu is called
by the Chinese the Tachiang, or "Great
river" This designates especially the
stream beyond Wiju, where the Japa
nese army had its headquarters. OPP
posite, just below VIII, the river is di-
vided by two islands, one, Samalinde,
of considerable extent says the New
York Herald.
Behind Yongampo and up the course
Of the stream to With, q march of
about forty miles, and stretching back
about five miles, is level plain, which
is cultivated and occupied by Korean
farmers. Beyond this plain, in a
southeasterly direction, rises a high
ridge. Southeast again, behind this
ridge, rise lofty peaks 1000 to 5000
feet In height.
WIFI, or Yichu, is on billy promon-
tory at the upper end of the plain,
beautifully situated and dominated by
a cliff about 200 feet high. Many of
its people live along the Seoul road,
for ages an imperial highway to China.
| Toward the sea, on the west, the
land is fairly open, though hilly, while
inland, on the north and east, are lofty
mountains, making it most difficult for
the passage of an army. Except on
this Wiju-Seoul road wheeled traffic is
| impossible in northern Korea.
The Japanese in 1894 crossed the
Yalu a few miles above the town of
Wiju and attacked the Chinese army
In the rear, overwhelming it notwith-
standing its strongly fortified position
on the low hills just below VIII. on
the Manchurian side at Chintiencheng
Mine consecutive forts" A few
miles above Chintiencheng the Al riv-
er enters the Yalu. The All is a swift
running stream, navigable for small
boats few miles up its course. The
hills OF Chintiencheng, it has been said,
could be held by a few thousand men
progress of the Japanese has proved a
false conclusion as far as the Rus
slams are concerned. Inland on the
Chinese side the country is wild and
thfnly populated.
Between Tatungkau and Chintien-
cheng, thirty miles from the first and
ten miles from the latter, is Shahitze-
Sand River Town"-or Antunghsien-
Peaceful East Magistracy"-with 90
OOO inhabitants. The town lies very
low and has been inundated more than
once. 1t is a characteristic of each
race that the Chinese town sites have
been chosen in low land, while the
more poetical Koreans, who appreciate
natural scenic beauty, build on high
ground or in valleys nestled in hills.
Fa1rly good roads run from Antung
to Fengwangcheng and Mukden to
Takushan and Newchwang Yinkow).
From Antung to Fengwangcheng is
forty miles. The mountain overlook
Ing this town Phoenix) rises quite
abruptly from the low, swelling plain.
A deep, forbidding gorge winds up
ward into the heart of the site. In
Fengwangcheng are the remains of
the Korean forts of the middle ages.
for here the Koreans made their last
stand before being driven out of Man
chura.
West of Fengwangcheng the road d.
Vides. One section leads to New
over three elevated passes, the
highest being the Tatungling. The
distance to Newehwang is $50 miles.
The main road crosses near the Mo-
ienling pass to Liaoyang, 100 miles.
IND thence to Mukden, forty miles far
her on. This road is rather good.
The Yalu river, picturesque stream
ONE 300 miles in length, is the divid-
ng line between Korea and Manchuria
N the northwest frontier 1t is nav
gable by native craft as far as Shin
uihuo, but steamers are unable TO
roceed beyond Antung. Some miles
Glow Antung, but situated in the same
ank and lying close within the estu-
ry or the river, is the port of Tatunp-
40, where, when the weather permits.
argoes for Antung are sometimes dis
harged. Tatungkao, however is diff {
llt to approach, and, as a general
ale, steamers unload and receive their
irgoes at Antung, a port of great
romise in the near future.
The estuary of the Yalu river is G
road, but the anchorage of Tatung. 4
40 is exposed to the northeast winds
hich at times blow with great force.
he stream has a rapid current and. t
wing to the presence Of innumerable s
ioais and sand banks, presents seri.
is obstacles TO successful navigation
lands, both small and large. appear a
It's course, and high hills, covered
lin bush and timber, break away
ON the banks.
Until lately the region OF the Yalu
as almost an unknown land but
lth the advent OF the Russians many Il
aDges In the character OF the distrlct
~. I