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PAIN'S PYROTECHNIC SPECTACLE,

BETWEEN

From out the mists of time long past, Two nations met in warlike strife .

The older, stronger, bites the dust ;

The younger, smaller, grows in might.

And of their struggles and their fate, We now depict in mimic way

Fierce battles, fire and vicious hate, How China fell 'neath Japan's sway.

When last year in Pain's Amphitheatre, at Manhattan Beach, was told Moore's beautiful story of " Lalla Eookh," a story of love and war, music and song, passion and pleasure, few of the thousands who were stirred by the production of the principal incidents of the poet's delightful work, thought that within a short twelve months the Orient would again give forth a subject for a picture for the coming season.

But such is the case. History after a little more than two decades has repeated itself. A proud and haughty nation has fallen, and a weak and despised one has taken a position, if not in the first rank, far enough in front to command the respect of the Continental and Ameri- can powers.

It was in 1870 when France, haughty in its supposed security and power, threw down the gauntlet to the little German states headed by Prussia, and marched forward " to Berlin." It was still 1870 when France, humiliated and betrayed, was under the heel of the Germans, and in the palace of her Kings and Emperors at Versailles, William III., King of Prussia, became William I., Emperor of German}'. A great lesson had been taught. It demonstrated that tho time of peace was the time to prepare for war. France had slept, dreamed of her unassailable strength. When she awoke Germany was in her capital.

This was history in Europe a little more than two decades ago. Less than a year ago China, with her population of 450,000,000 of people, was sleeping, and the whole world envied her her peace, wealth and security. At an unfortunate hour there arose between her and the little Empire of Japan a war cloud, which appeared no bigger than a lady's handkerchief in the sky, but which grew and developed to such an extent that after it had burst China was found in the dust humiliated, disgraced, suing for peace at an}r terms which Japan, the despised, might in its mercy dictate. Another great lesson had been taught, and while China is still large and important in the eyes of the

world, Japan has reached in less than a year a position which it has taken other na- tions centuries to at- tain.

More than a genera- tion ago, largely through American in- fluence, Japan threw open her ports to the world, and extended a hospitable welcome to strangers who sought her shores. Nay more, she sent her youths and her statesmen, her sol- diers and her sailors abroad to study and ob- serve the ways and methods of the ad- vanced countries of the world. This they did, and carried back with them to their native land vast stores of knowledge, from Avhich the best was taken and grafted in the various branches of their govern- ment.

Modern ideas and practices were engrafted on ancient customs or supplanted them altogether. In this way the " Land of the Kising Sun" came to be regarded as the most progressive of Eastern nations, when looked upon from a Western standpoint.

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How differently was the course pursued by the great Empire of China ; the old policy of exclusiveness was maintained ; the foreigner was treated as an unwelcome visitor to her shores ; the wonderful achievements in modern science, in the Western nations, received slight recognition in the Flowery Kingdom ; in a word, China dreamed of where she was centuries ago, and was lost — when she woke Japan was her master.

A summary of the events of the war will enable those who visit Pain's open-air theatre to form an idea for themselves of the manner in which Japan prepared for this conflict, and recognize how thoroughly unprepared China was to make successful resistance.

The first overt act of war between the two nations occurred on July 25, 1894. Three Japanese iron-clads, cruising off Phungdo, came in view of three Chinese warships, conveying troops on transports to Corea, after Japan had requested her not to interfere in the affairs of that state. The transports were overhauled and summoned to surrender, which summons the Chinese commander ignored. The refusal was the signal for fight. From the first the Japanese had the best of the struggle. One, a Chinese gunboat, made a desperate resistance, but she was finally driven ashore and destroyed. A protected Chinese cruiser, deeming discretion the better part of valor, ran away early in the fight, and the remaining vessel, a dispatch boat, fell into the hands of the Japanese. Of the three Chinese transports, two made a port in safety, but the third, the Koiv-Shink, was so badly used up by the Japanese fire that she went down with all on board.

This, the first victory of the Mikado's forces on the water, was quickly followed up by an equally determined blow struck on land five days later.

The Japanese troops in Corea, July 29th, made an attack on a Chinese force strongly intrenched at Sei-Kwan. The assault was severe, and for five hours the fighting lasted with intensity on both sides. Finally the Chinese were routed with a loss on their side of five hundred killed and wounded. The Japanese are reported to have had but seventy men killed and wounded. The Chinese force entrenched at Sei-Kwan, was estimated at nearly three thousand men.

Following up this advantage the Japanese troops, operating in Southern Corea, attacked the Chinese entrenched in the neighborhood of Asan, and on July 30th the garrison fell. The Chinese troops, thoroughly demoralized, beat a retreat northward leaving the victors in full possession of the situation. The Japanese in securing possession

3

of Asan obtained an important base of operations. How effectively they turned it to account is shown by subsequent events.

With a calmness and deliberation, which marked all their opera- tions, they began preparations for the capture of Ping Yang, the only remaining stronghold of the Chinese on the peninsula. Ping Yang is a walled city situated on the Tatung River, and on the direct road from the Corean capital to the Manchurian frontier. Every position outside the town was strongly fortified. Sheltering breastworks, with Krupp and Gatling guns, mounted behind regular parapets, were thrown up to cover the infantry, and, it is said, sixteen thousand men were garrisoned there to defend it. Early in September the Japanese advanced upon the place from the southeast and southwest, and by the 13th the object of attack was at hand. On the 14th, after consid- erable intermittent fighting, the forts in the east and southeast were captured. The advancing column on the south and southwest stormed and captured the first position, which was protected by a parapet. Here the heaviest fighting on both sides occurred. The Japanese were met bravely by the Manchurian troops under the command of General Yeh. A stubborn resistance was made, but it proved in the end of no avail. The Japanese column, advancing from the north, which left its base at midnight on the 14th, found itself at sunrise next morning in front of the Chinese intrenchments. The Japanese advanced, but their task was an easy one, as they met with little or no resistance, and all the outlying defences fell into their hands almost without a blow. By noon, on the 15th of September, the day was decided, and unconditional surrender was demanded, and the city yielded.

About this time the Chinese authorities were becoming anxious about the continued success and energetic campaign of the Japanese land forces, as well as by the threatening demonstrations of their war vessels. The operations in Corea, and the humiliating defeats of the Chinese armies in that peninsula, seemed to awake the powers in con- trol of the government to more resolute action. The surrender of Ping Yang was a serious blow.

September the 16th a number of transports with troops from Talien Bay, close by Port Arthur, were sent to the Yalu. The trans- ports were dispatched up the rivei*. The main body of the fleet remained at anchor some ten miles to the westward. On the morning of the 17th, the Japanese fleet, under Admiral Ito, was discovered approaching. The Japanese fleet consisted of four very fast cruisers

4

in line leading the way, followed by a second squadron of three coast defenders, a belted cruiser, and a belt and battery-protected armorclad. In addition to these were three other vessels— an armored corvette, a gun vessel and an armed merchant ship. The Chinese fleet was made up of ten armored warships. After some preliminary skirmishing and manoeuvring for position, the battle of the Yalu began. The Japanese admiral acted with caution and seemed satisfied to fight at long range. The battle raged fiercely on both sides for a time. The Chinese commanders displayed great bravery, except those in com- mand of the Tsi Yuen and the Kwang Ki, both of which ironclads, at an early stage of the fight, put about ship and attempted to es- cape, but they were out-ma- noeuvred however by their wily antagonists. The Jap- anese fought at long range, and kept up a regular tor- nado of quick firing shell. At length the Chick- Yuen was struck in a vital spot and went down with the flag of China flying at her mast- head ; then the Lai Yuen was struck and set on fire ; later still, and the King Yuen was also set on fire. Embold- ened by success, one of the Japanese ironclads got into

closer quarters than was prudent, when one of the Chinese fleet let drive a couple of large projectiles striking the Matsushima, and causing serious injury on board. So much so in fact that the damage to the two Chinese warships by fire, which, however, w;is extinguished, was trifling by comparison. During the day the battle of the ships continued until the shades of night began to full, and the combatants had expended the greater portion of their ammu- nition. It was a severe engagement throughout. The Chinese fleet retired under the protection of Port Arthur, and the Japanese moved off to the Latuug. It was with such seemingly indecisive results the

sea battle of the Yalu was fought, but from the fact that a few days later the Japanese cruisers were patrolling the Chinese coast, the palm of victory rested once more on the victorious Japanese.

It now became a well-established fact in the struggle that the fortunes of war were leading in the direction of the soldiers and sailors from the land of the chrysanthemums. The celerity of the Japanese movements, the determination with which they made their attacks and followed up advantages gained, the evident preparation which was everywhere and at all times observable was universally conceded. On the other hand, the Chinese appeared at all times, and in nearly every engagement, whether on land or sea, to be entirely unprepared for the emergency. It seemed as if demoralization had set in among the troops with the first blow that was struck in the conflict. Scarcely a leading commander in the armies of China exhibited the faintest trace of that ability which was likely under the most favor- able conditions to stay the tide of success which accompanied the march of the Japanese armies on the land and went hand in hand with the Japanese flag on the sea and along the Chinese coast.

The fall of Port Arthur was the next achievement which rewarded the valor of the Japanese armies. With that carefulness and delibera- tion which distinguished the Japanese commanders throughout the entire campaign, the preparations for the capture of Port Arthur, situated on the Regent's Sword promontory, were made. Though the activity of the troops in other directions was in no way lessened, for nearly every day brought news of encouragement from the success- ful invaders, it was not until November that the order for the advance on Port Arthur was given. Early in that month it was made plain that the investment and capture of that stronghold was the next great move. For over a fortnight, commencing on the first of November, the Japanese commanders began to close in upon the stronghold. Two divisions of troops, marching so as to command completely both sides of the peninsular on which Port Arthur is situated, began to close in. At all times both divisions were in touch with the fleet in the adjacent waters. It was in this attack, or series of attacks, in approaching the citadel that the Chinese made a display of the fight- ing qualities which they undoubtedly possess when commanded by officers in whom they have faith. For days every rod of the ground was pluckily disputed. The advance, under such circumstances, was necessarily slow, but it was sure. So intent were the Chinese com- manders on the movements of the advancing troops on land that they

6

lost sight of the diversion that was being made by the fleet in their rear. The Japanese admiral moved carefully and quietly, and while the attacking army on land was energetically engaging the attention of the land forces a flotilla of Japanese torpedo boats entered the harbor in defiance of the forts and water-works and distracted atten-

tion seaward. This appeared to be the signal for a general assault along the whole line. The plan was successfully carried into effect and on the 21st day of November Port Arthur fell, notwithstanding the gallant defence it made. The stronghold was defended by thirteen thousand of the best Chinese troops, who, when they recognized that

7

the inevitable was at hand, fled thoroughly demoralized. The Japan- ese not wishing to be burdened with an army of prisoners equal almost in point of numbers to their own left a road open for them to secure flight. Through this signal victory the most important arsenal and dockyard in China fell into the hands of the Japanese. It also gave to them through its strategical situation the command of the Gulf of Pechili. The loss of the Japanese in this campaign was insignificant; their gain was great. Immense quantities of guns, ammunition, and general stores fell into their possession. The Jap- anese fleet, apart from the torpedo boats, took no part in the capture. They lay outside in the offing, mere spectators, keeping watch but ready for action if required. The Chinese fleet was noticeable only by its inaction. Twelve of the fleet were seized in the harbor and the rest got up steam and hastened across to the shelter of Wei-Hai-Wei.

Even in this hasty flight ill luck seemed to follow. The most formid- able ironclad o f the fleet, the Chen "' Yuen went ashore entering the har- bor.

This ended for the year the achievements o f

the victors, but it did not by any means lessen their activity either on land or sea. Port Arthur having been re- duced the victors now turned their attention in the direction of Wei- Hai-Wei, the next

great naval stronghold of China, on the Gulf of Pechili. It is the attack on this stronghold that forms the main feature for illustration on the mimic stage and lake in Pain's outdoor theatre. Mr. Kirby, the scenic artist, has taken pains to give an excellent stage picture of the promontory on which the stronghold is situated, showing its approaches by land and water and the location of the fleets of the contending powers.

It was not until near the end of January that a landing of a large force of Japanese troops was accomplished on the main land near Wei-Hai-Wei. Two circumstances, it must be borne in mind, com- bined to make the capture of this position much more difficult and protracted than the operations around Port Arthur. A strong Chinese fleet was in the harbor, and although during the war it was demon- strated that the Chinese battle ships were indifferently handled, it

8

was also shown that they were manned and commanded by men who could and would do battle even under the most disheartening condi- tions. This was proven in the sea fight of the Yalu. The island of Lin-Kun-Tao, close by, had an independent fortress, which entailed more extensive operations on the part of the Japanese. They under- took to reduce the fortress and Wei-Hai-Wei at the same time. On the 30th of January the Japanese effected a landing and secured some advantages, but from that day on it was fight s^^m

every day until the goal was won. One by one the fierce determination of the invaders was shown in the assaults, the charges, the bom- barding by the fleet and the return fire of the besieged. Flame swept the promontory and lighted up the sea. The roar of the guns, the rattle of the musketry, the shouts of the in- vaders, flushed by vic- tory and encouraged by success, made night and day hideous. The bar- renness of the soil, the inhospitable aspect of the surrounding country and rocky coast served to add to the dread pic- ture of war which was raging. At length nearly all the inland defences fell into the hands of the invaders, an*1 then followed the battle of the ironclads, which makes one of thf. most instructive and interesting pictures yet shown on the mimic stage.

During the time that operations were in progress against Port Arthur, and subsequently against Wei-Hai-Wei, and which ended, ub already stated, in the capitulation of both strongholds, a Japanese

9

army, in another direction, was marching in the direction of Ninchwang, another very important seaport of the Chinese Empire. The march was beset with difficulties. The enemy continually harassed the advancing forces, but as in the past, these difficulties were surmounted,

and the Chinese soldiers showed, in almost every fight, how powerless they were in opposing the Japanese invaders. The record of the First Army of the Mikado, after they had crossed the Talu into Manchuria, reflects the highest credit on the officers who conducted the campaign

JO

and the soldiers who took part in it. The distance from their starting point at Chemulpo to Ninchwang, situated on the Gulf of Lian-Tong, is about four hundred miles. Every rod of this territory was dis- puted by the Chinese. At length, on the 7th of March, Ninchwang surrendered, and the Japanese once more found themselves in possession of another important seaport, and their position on the Northern Chinese mainland well secured.

This succession of victories was sufficient to inspire the invaders with renewed confidence in their ability to subdue their ancient enemy and to place themselves in such position as to dictate terms of peace. Accordingly the eyes of those who were directing the general campaign were directed in the direction of the rich and fruitful island of Formosa. Now that the armies of Japan were firmly established in Northern China and held possession of the three principal seaports and fortresses, the scene of active operations changed towards For- mosa, and the last active steps were begun before the conclusion of the hostilities of the contending empires.

Little more remains to be added to this brief sketch describing some of the most prominent events in the war between China and Japan. From the time the first blow was struck until the suspension of hostilities, it was plainly to be seen that the conflict was an unequal one, inasmuch as Japan was thoroughly prepared. The great Chinese empire was brought to bay by a power she affected to despise ; the millions which the Chinese Emperor might call upon in time of need were nowhere to be relied upon ; the leading generals and command- ers of the laud and sea forces of the empire were found to be lacking in all essentials calculated to inspire their followers with faith in their ability to successfully cope with the invaders of the Flowery Land and drive them from its shores. Years of fancied security hilled the great ones of the empire into the belief that the powers they wielded were invincible. Corruption, imbecility, luxury and selfishness among the men of caste, and lack of patriotism, misery and indifference among the teeming millions of the lower classes produced the natural results. Is it to be Avoudered at then that the island empire of Japan, whose inhabitants were fully imbued with a strong love of country, whose scholars and statesmen, and soldiers and sailors, profiting by experi- ence, learning by observation, studying in the great schools of the world, cultivating the friendship of the civilized nations of the earth, throwing wide open the doors of their rich and beautiful laud to all who might seek the hospitality of its shores, should be prepared when

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the proper time arrived to step into position and assume a place among the great nations of the earth ? After two ineffectual attempts to secure an armistice, Li Hung Chang, in the character of China's Plenipotentiary, proceeded to Japan to sue for peace. It was granted, and the clash of arms ceased ; but who can tell how long the peace that now exists will be maintained. The end is not yel.

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