THE MARSHALL ISLANDS

Otago Witness, Issue 2811, 29 January 1908, Page 26

THE MARSHALL ISLANDS

AN OLD CLAIM SETTLED.

LONDON, January 21

The representative of Messrs Burns, Philp, and Co., after conferring with Herr Dernburg, the German Minister for the Colonies, and the Council of the Empire, has. accepted £4100 as an honourable and amicable settlement of the Marshall Islands dispute, preferring a cash settlement t& encouraging the delays and risks of arbitration.

SYDNEY, January 21.

In reference to the cable message about the Marshall Islands, it is stated that the settlement ie largely due to the good offices of Dr Irmir, German Consul-general at Sydney. Through his representations chiefly, Germany invited Messrs Burns, Philp, and Co. to send a representative to Berlin, to confer. After gaining the consent of the British and Commonwealth Governments, Messrs Burns, PhUp, and Co. instructed Mr Campbell, their LondoSmanager to proceed there" and offer to conclude a settlement for half the amount originally claimed. Finally a settlement was agreed to by both sides for £4100, which is, roughly, one-third of the amount of the claim.

The Marshall Islands, which form part of Germany's Pacific colony, were annexed by that country in 1886. The group ie very

small, comprising an area of only 158 square miles, and practically the only product is copra. The population is 15,000, of whom 55 are Europeans. The claim referred to arises out of the occupation by Burn 6, Philip, and Co., prior to the annexation.