The Times on Thursday published from its Tokio corre- spondent
an announcement of great interest concerning the Japanese Army. The Manchurian and Korean garrisons will be reduced from four to two divisions, and supplied by drafts from home, instead of being special corps with their own local depots. On the other band, six new divisions will be added to the home establishment, so that the strength of the Army will be nineteen divisions. Three special forces are to be organised, —heavy field artillery, quick-firing field artillery, and cavalry. There is also to be a complete rearmament of the forces, which will extend over several years. The net result of the new programme will be to enable Japan to put an army of seven hundred and fifty thousand men in the field. It is understood that the require dfunds will all be provided by economies in other departments, and that there will be no newtaxes or loans.
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