MARSHALL ISLANDS CLAIM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13647, 15 January 1908, Page 7

MARSHALL ISLANDS CLAIM.

EARLY SETTLEMENT LIKELY.

By Telegraph.—Press Awofiation.— Cop? right.

London", January 13. The Daily Graphic states that re» cognising that the South African claims arc in a different category from the grievances of Burmi, Philp, and Co., Germany will withdraw her demand lor identical treatment, and is now willing to submit the Marshall Islands dispute to arbitration by. itself. .

It is believed that a final friendly understanding will soon be reached.

Between three and {our years ago, finding that German vessels wore competing keenly for trade in the Pacific, both in the British and German possession?, Messrs. Burns, Philp and Co. decided to take advantage of the treaty between Great. Britain and Germany* which ah, lowed equal right* to both 'nations, and extended their operations to the German protectorate of the Marshall Islands. The German authorities, however, strenuously fought against Burns, Philp and Co., and refused the treaty rights to which they were entitled. Heavy taxation was put. upon the steamers of Burns, Fltilp and Co., and ultimately the German authorities made it practically impossible for them to continue the trade. As a consequence of this the firm made a claim for £10,000 against the German Government. The South African counter-claims alluded to in the cable, are for losses alleged to" have been suffered by .German residents in the Transvaal, on "account of the war.