ga, who ultimately retired beyond the mountains to Liao-Yang.
Sung had already left Kai-ping to secure Hai-cheng when he heard of
the fall of that place; his communications with Ikotenga being now
severed, he swerved to the north-west and established a new base at
Niu-chwang. Once on his new line Sung moved upon Hai-cheng. As it was
essential that he should be prevented from joining forces with
Ikotenga, General Katsura marched out of Hai-cheng to fight him. At
Kang-wang-tsai (December 19th) the Chinese displayed unusual
steadiness, and it cost the Japanese some 343 casualties to dislodge
the enemy. The victors returned to Hai-cheng exhausted with their
efforts, but secure from attack for some time to come. The advanced
troops of the 2nd army (Nogi's brigade) were now ready to advance, and
only the Kai-ping garrison (left behind by Sung) barred their junction
with Katsura. At Kai-ping (January 10th) the resistance of the Chinese
was almost as steady as at Kang-wang-tsai, and the Japanese lost 300
killed and wounded in their successful attack. In neither of these
actions was the defeated force routed, nor did it retire very far. On
the 17th of January and again on the 22nd Ikotenga attacked Hai-cheng
from the north, but was repulsed.

Meanwhile the 2nd army, still under Oyama, had undertaken operations
against Wei-hai-wei, the second great fortress and dockyard of
northern China, where Admiral Ting's squadron had been refitting since
the battle of the Yalu; and it was hoped that both armies would
accomplish their present tasks in time to advance in the summer
against Peking itself. On the 18th of January a naval demonstration
was made at Teng-chow-fu, 70 m. west of Wei-hai-wei, and on the 19th
the Japanese began their disembarkation at Yung-cheng Bay, about 12 m.
from Wei-hai-wei. The landing was scarcely opposed, and on the 26th
the Japanese advance was begun. The south-eastern defences of
Wei-hai-wei harbour were carried by the 6th division, whilst the 2nd
division reached the inner waters of the bay, driving the Chinese
before them. The fleet under Ito co-operated effectively. On the night
of the 4th-5th of February the Chinese squadron in harbour was
attacked by ten torpedo boats. Two boats were lost, but the
armour-clad "Ting-Yuen" was sunk. On the following night a second
attack was made, and three more vessels were sunk. On the 9th the
"Ching-