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FIRST GLIMPSE OF PORT ARTHUR 33
scarcely worth while to give any further descrip-
tion of it.
A prominent feature in the system of defence
of the eastern section was the covered way which
connected all the enceinte forts along the whole
circumference. This covered way existed already
in the days of the Chinese, and therefore generally
went under the name of “the Chinese Wall,” and
was vastly improved and extended by the Rus-
sians. From his position General Nogi could
distinctly follow this covered way for nearly its
whole length. It stood out as a dark line on the
light green or sandy grey hill-sides, and ran, some-
times single, sometimes double, sometimes in
zigzags, but most of the time in straight lines,
behind the enceinte forts, connecting and com-
municating with them all. It was formed by a
wall, facing the enemy, and a sunken road, which
was perfectly sheltered against direct fire. Simi-
lar communications connected with the different
battery positions. Behind these a fine carriage
road had been constructed from the town for the
conveyance of heavy guns.
The importance of the Chinese wall is evident.
Not only did it act as a kind of artery through
which the feeding of the forts with provisions and
ammunition could be carried out under full cover,
but it also permitted quickly and safely the massing
of troops and conveyance of machine guns and
quick-firers to any threatened point. Of what in-
calculable value such a sheltered communication
is to a comparatively weak garrison later events
have fully borne out.
As a glance at the map will show, the defences
of Port Arthur fall in three distinctly different
groups or sections—the eastern, which I have
already mentioned ;
the western, bounded by the
D
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