The ships. under an agreement with the Japanese Government. were taken off the line and were made auxiliary cruisers of the Japanese navy. And I am informed that tile Government continued the payment of the subsidy even during the period they were in the service of the Japanese Government. They were among the fast scout ships of the Japanese naval reserve that -watched the course of Rodjestvenskys fleet as it moved up along the Asiatic coast and that kept Admiral Togo informed of the Russians progress. After that fleet had been destroyed. the Japanese Government. in order to show that they had no more fear of Russian battle ships. allowed one of those ships to be put back.again on the line from China and Japan to San Francisco via Hawaii. As soon as peace was declared the other.two ships went back on that run.