NAVAL UNITS OF THREE CLAIMANTS RUSHING TO DISPUTED AREA

Chronicle (Levin), 19 February 1948, Page 5

NAVAL UNITS OF THREE CLAIMANTS RUSHING TO DISPUTED AREA

(N.Z.F.A. — Reuter,

Covyriaht)

Received Thursday, 11.45 a.m. BUENOS AIRES, February 18. Argentine served formal notice on Europe today that it does not recognise the existence of European colonies or possessions in Antarctica. The statement was made by Senor Lius H. Irigoyan, Technical Under-Secretary of the Foreign Ministry, as Navy units of Argentina, Chil3 and Britain, steamed toward the waters south of Cape Horn in an effort to reinforce the claims of the three eountries to the South Polar lands.

Senor Irigoyan also expressed disagreement with the opinion raised today in Washington by the Secretary of State, Mr. George C. Marshall, that the American security zone piovided in last year's Reo de Janier6 Continencal Defence Treaty does not include the disputed Antarctic lands. Mr. Marshall had announeed what was in effect, a "han'ds 'off" policy by the United States toward the rival claims to certain territories in the Falkland Island dependencies and said the United States were interested in the dispute, but regarded the issue as one for settlement by the eountries concerned. Meanwhile, at Santiago, the Cliilian Government announeed that President Vi'dela had arrived at Bernardo Chiggins Land on Graham Land, from Port Sovereignty and had set Up his country's second military base in the Antarctic. Grahamland is claimed by Britain.