squadron, for the Japanese, superior as they were in every
other factor of success, had no vessels which could compare with these
in the matter of protection. Ting advanced in a long irregular line
abreast; the battleships in the centre, the lighter vessels on the
wings. Ito's fast cruisers steamed in line ahead against the Chinese
right wing, crushing their weaker opponents with their fire. In the
end the Chinese fleet was defeated and scattered, but the two heavy
battleships drew off without serious injury. This battle of the Yalu
gave Japan command of the sea, but Ito continued to act with great
caution. The remnants of the vanquished fleet took refuge in Port
Arthur, whence after repairs Ting proceeded to Wei-hai-wei.

The victory of Ping-Yang had cleared Korea of the Chinese troops, but
on the lower Yalu--their own frontier--large forces threatened a
second advance. Marshal Yamagata therefore took the offensive with his
1st army, and on the 24th and 25th of October, under great
difficulties--though without serious opposition from the enemy--forced
the passage of the river and occupied Chiulien-cheng. Part of the
Chinese force retired to the north-east, part to Feng-hwang-cheng and
Hsiu-yuen (Siu-Yen). The Japanese 1st army advanced several columns
towards the mountains of Manchuria to secure its conquests and prepare
for a future advance. General Tachimi's brigade occupied
Feng-hwang-cheng on the 29th of October. On the 7th of November a
column from the Yalu took Takushan, and a few days later a converging
attack from these two places was made upon Hsiu-yuen, which was
abandoned by the Chinese. Meanwhile Tachimi, skirmishing with the
enemy on the Mukden and Liao-Yang roads, found the Chinese in force. A
simultaneous forward move by both sides led to the action of
Tsao-ho-ku (November 30), after which both sides withdrew--the Chinese
to the line of the mountains covering Hai-cheng, Liao-Yang and Mukden,
with the Tatar general Ikotenga's force, 14,000 strong, on the
Japanese right north-east of Feng-hwang-cheng; and the Japanese to
Chiulien-cheng, Takushan and Hsiu-yuen. The difficulties of supply in
the hills were almost insurmountable, and no serious advance was
intended by the Japanese until January 1895, when it was to be made in
co-operation with the 2nd army. This army, under Marshal Oyama, had
been formed in September and at first sent to Che