Japanese water guard, protecting camp supply

The peninsula on which Port Arthur is situated is long and narrow, in consequence of which there is little running water, and the natural scarcity of the water was enhanced by the destruction of every vestige of shrubbery or forest by the Russians, lest they might serve the Japanese as hiding places or for fuel. The Japanese posted sentries at all wells, brooks or other sources of water supply, who permitted no one to approach or use the water without orders from the General in charge. In this picture the sentry is guarding a small stream, and the soldiers are permitted to use the water for washing and other purposes below the sentry, while above him no water might be taken, except for drinking purposes. Another difficulty with which the army had to contend was the scarcity of fuel. Every bit of cornstalk or straw was gleaned from the fields to serve as kindling, and the whole peninsula and the mainland nearby was searched for old wooden buildings that might be torn. down and used to make the tea-kettle boil.Original format: 1 photomechanical print on stereo card : halftone, stereograph, color ; 9 x 18 c