Directory_and_Chronicle_1925 — Page 756

PORT ARTHUR

順旅 Lu-shun (Ryojun)

Port Arthur, at the point of the "Regent's Sword, or Liaotung Peninsula, was formerly China's chief naval arsenal, but was captured by the Japanese in the war with China in 1894, and its defences and military works were destroyed. In 1898, when Russia obtained a lease of Port Arthur and Talienwan, she fortified the former, making it into a great naval and military stronghold.

By the time the war between Russia and Japan broke out, an anchorage for battleships had been provided at great cost in the western harbour, and the hills surrounding the harbour had been so strongly fortified that Port Arthur had come to be regarded as an impregnable fortress. In May, 1904, Port Arthur was besieged by the Japanese forces, under General Nogi, and capitulated on January 1st, 1905, after repeated conflicts of a most sanguinary character.

Port Arthur (called by the Japanese Ryojun) is now the headquarters of the Kwantung Army and a centre of civil administration in the province of Kwantung. The town is divided into two parts, the old and the new. The old or east part is a business town existing from the Chinese régime, and the Ryojun Coast Guard, Manchuria Dockyard Co., Red Cross hospital, captured arms museum, the fortress commander's office, local civil government office, and the high and district courts are located there. The new or west part was a poor village when the Russians entered into occupation. They erected there many fine buildings, among them being the present Kwantung Government Office, the Middle School and Higher School for Girls, Engineering University and the Yamato Hotel, etc. As a memorial to the Japanese soldiers who fell in the assault of Port Arthur, on Monument Hill (called Hakugi-Yoku-san), which commands the harbour, a high tower was erected at the suggestion of Admiral Togo and General Nogi. The climate is bracing, and though the winter from December to February is cold the harbour is free from ice. March, April and May are lovely months, as the surrounding hills and fields are covered with verdure and flowers. June, July and August constitute the wet season and are rather warm, though not so warm as other cities in Manchuria, as the sea-breezes temper the heat. The rain is not sufficient to inconvenience travellers much, and in fact Port Arthur at this time of year attracts many visitors, who enjoy the sea-bathing under the famous Golden Hill, on which some 20 foreign houses have been built by the South Manchuria Railway Co., and may be rented. September, October and November form a perfect autumn with mild climate, and there are abundant supplies of fresh fruit and fish. On July 1st, 1910, the Western Harbour was thrown open to the ships of all nations with a view to fostering international trade.

There is a branch line of the South Manchurian Railway, and through the junction station (Ch'ou Shui) several trains run daily between Port Arthur and Dairen. The journey occupies only one hour and a half by train. Drainage and waterworks are being constructed and the place is well lighted with electric light. The population of the town according to recent returns is 16,280, including 8,837 Japanese (exclusive of military officers and men), 7,424 Chinese and 19 of other nationalities.