The Strategic Importance of Lüshun

Lüshun, located at the southern tip of the Liaodong Peninsula, served as a crucial corridor connecting Korea and China. Historically, it was a vital transit point for diplomatic missions. During the Tang Dynasty, envoys traveling to the Bohai Kingdom in the upper reaches of the Yalu River would cross from the Liaodong Peninsula to the Shandong Peninsula before proceeding to the Tang capital, Chang’an. The name “Lüshun” itself translates to “smooth journey,” reflecting its role as a key passage.

However, this same route that facilitated peaceful travel also became an avenue for invasion. By the late 19th century, Lüshun had evolved into a critical military stronghold for the Qing Dynasty. Its fall on November 21, 1894, marked a devastating turning point in the First Sino-Japanese War, granting Japan control over the entire Liaodong Peninsula and opening the door for further advances toward the Shandong Peninsula and beyond.

The Desperate Defense and Qing’s Downfall

The Qing court, acutely aware of Lüshun’s strategic value, had urged its defense. Yet, their efforts were marred by disorganization and delayed responses. Ten days before the city’s fall, the court had sent urgent telegrams to Li Hongzhang, the Viceroy of Zhili, demanding immediate action—only to receive no reply. The Qing military’s disarray was further evident in the state of the Beiyang Fleet. Admiral Ding Ruchang had already relocated most of the fleet to Weihaiwei, leaving damaged ships like the Dingyuan and Laiyuan stranded in Lüshun.

The Japanese Second Army, a well-trained and aggressive force, swiftly captured Jinzhou and Dalian before descending upon Lüshun. In contrast, the Japanese First Army, which had crossed the Yalu River, faced unexpected resistance from disguised Qing guerrillas and local farmers, forcing them into defensive positions.

The Lüshun Massacre and International Outrage

The fall of Lüshun was followed by one of the war’s most horrifying episodes—the Lüshun Massacre. Japanese troops, emboldened by their victory, slaughtered not only Qing soldiers but also civilians, including women and children. Eyewitness accounts from foreign naval officers and journalists painted a gruesome picture. Japanese soldier Kubota Chūzō wrote in his diary:

“Seeing Chinese soldiers made me want to cut them to pieces, and the people of Lüshun—I wanted to kill them all. The streets were filled with corpses, making movement difficult. Every household had three to six dead, the ground soaked in blood, the stench unbearable.”

International condemnation was swift. The New York World accused Japan of being a “monster in the guise of civilization,” while British legal scholar Thomas Holland, despite his pro-Japanese leanings, denounced the atrocities. The massacre nearly derailed U.S.-Japan treaty negotiations, with Secretary of State Walter Gresham warning that the Senate might reject ratification if reports were confirmed.

Japan’s Foreign Minister Mutsu Munemitsu attempted damage control, downplaying the killings as “some unnecessary slaughter” and claiming victims were mostly disguised soldiers. Yet, the brutality was undeniable, with British reports detailing infants impaled on bayonets.

Diplomatic Maneuvering and the Push for Peace

Even before Lüshun’s fall, the Qing court had begun exploring peace options. Prince Gong (Yixin), a seasoned diplomat, was reinstated to lead negotiations. Recognizing the futility of continued war, he discreetly sought foreign mediation, particularly from the U.S.

On November 6, 1894—days before Lüshun’s capture—U.S. Minister Edwin Dun met with Mutsu, who initially dismissed mediation, believing Japan held the upper hand. However, Mutsu later conceded that U.S. involvement might prevent British interference.

After Lüshun’s fall, the Qing formally proposed peace terms: recognition of Korean independence and war reparations. Japan, however, dismissed these as insufficient, demanding territorial concessions. The stage was set for the Treaty of Shimonoseki, which would cement Japan’s imperial ambitions and humiliate the Qing Dynasty.

Legacy and Historical Reflection

The fall of Lüshun and its aftermath exposed the Qing Dynasty’s military weakness and diplomatic isolation. The massacre remains a dark chapter in Japan’s military history, undermining its claims of “civilized” warfare. For China, the defeat accelerated calls for reform, culminating in the abortive Hundred Days’ Reform and, eventually, the 1911 Revolution.

Today, Lüshun (now part of Dalian) stands as a reminder of the costs of imperial rivalry and the enduring scars of war. Its capture was not just a military defeat but a symbol of a declining empire’s struggle to adapt to a rapidly changing world.