GERMANY AND BRITAIN.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 95, 15 January 1908, Page 7

GERMANY AND BRITAIN.

—-— BURNS PHILP CLAIM. OT TEI-EGBAPH—I'HESS ASSOCIATION—COPTEIQJIT. London, January 13. Thq "Daily Graphic " states that, recognising that her SputTi African claims in connection with tho Boor war aro in a different category to Burns Pliilp and Co.'s grievances, Germany jvill withdraw hor demand for identical treatment, and is now willing to arbitrate in regard to Burns Pliilp and Co.'s claim for £12,000 compensation for loss of trading rights through German restrictions at tho Marshall Islands. It is believed a friendly understanding will soon bp reached. Some little time ago, in ft speech on preference in the Commonwealth Parliament, Mr. Deakin hinted at the imposition of disabilities on Germany so long as the grievance relating to tho Marshall Islands is unredressed.' A Cologne message, of November 30, contains a summary of some remarks by the Berlin correspondent of the "Koeimsclie Zeititng," stating that the complaints of delay with regard to the settlement of the claim of Messrs. Burns, Pliilp, and Co. are so far justified in that it is the fact that it was two and a half years ago when the grievance of the firm was first 'officially communicated, grounds on which the claim was based were, however, not known in Herljn until May, IIXIG. In July, .Germany, although she was not in a position to recogijise an obligation, consented to an examination of the claim for reasons of equity. After, the examination had been concluded, Germany, in July, 1007, offered a considerable sum, winch, however, the parties concerned considered too small. "Thereupon the British Government proposed arbitration, and this proposal (says the correspondent) is still under consideration by Germany. There is a difficulty from the fact (lint shortly before that the Gorman proposal for setting up an arbitration tribunal to deal with German claims for compensation arising out of the South African war had not beeii accepted by Great Britain. This latter case involved no doubtful claim,' but one supported by clear international provisions. In any case, however, Germany is very desirous to settlo the matter in a s'priit of equity, equal goodwill on tho British side being presupposed."