The "Kokumin Shimbun" states that the Japanese Admiralty has decided upon a large scheme of rearmament with the object of utilizing the experiences of the war. Instead of building new ships, the armaments of the old will be altered so as to bring them into line with the most modern ideas and with the requirements indicated by the war. Thus vessels of the "Mikasa" type which have hitherto carried four 12-inch guns and fourteen 6-inch will henceforth carry four 10 inch instead of the fourteen 6- inch, so that their principal armament willie brought up to eight pisses of heavy calibre. Their fighting strength will thus be doubled. Similarly in the case of vessels like the Retvisam taken daring the war. their new armament will consist of four 12-inch and four stituted for the twelve 6-inch which 10-inch pieces, the Intter being sub-
these vessels originally carried. Of course this will involve exten inthe internal arrangements of th bat when the programme is cam will the great advantage creating thoroughly—homo-generous fighting force. Two first-class cruisers are to by added to the Navy. These ships will have displacement of 18,600 tons. with horse-power of 44,000 and a of 25 knots. They will be 450 f. long over all with 80 ft. beam and w draft of 26 ft, Their armour will he 7 inches and their armament will consist of ten 12-inch guns, ome 6-inch whose number is mot yet fixed, and ten 4:7- inch. One of these magnificent. ships is to be built at Kure, bat nothing is said as to the other.—" The Japan Daily Mail."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.