Tokyo, Dec. 14.
Owners of German ships carrying cargoes destined for Japan which are now taking shelter in Italian ports are requesting cargo-owners to bear Fort of the expenses incurred during the period of refuge, to the extent of 20 per cent. of cargo value, according to information received by the Osaka Office of Trade Bureau from Rome yesterday, The German demand for 20 per cent. of the cargo value is considered too high and unreasonable, in the opinion of Japanese shipping interests, who expect the Foreign Office will start negotiations with Germany for a more reasonable settlement, Some quarters believe that five per cent compensation would be reasonable—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.