THE STAMP WAR

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 136, 10 June 1937, Page 27

THE STAMP WAR

ARGENTINE ISSUE

CHILE ALSO ANNOYED

Great Britain-was not the only country to protest against the "map which was printed on the current issue of Argentine one-peso postage stamps, says the" "Christian Science Monitor." Chile, also complained because the Argentine shade was lavished rather generously on that part of Patagonia wher.e the two transandean countries converge, towards the tip of the South American'continent. Chile was especially sore because Tierra del Fuego was made to appear as if it was wholly Argentine territory, whereas the sovereignty of the island is divided more or less equally between the two countries. ... The Buenos Aires Government could not very well disregard these just re-j presentations, the result of which is that a newly-engraved stamp is on sale in Argentine post offices with rectifications in favour of Chile and omissions of all other South American frontiers—a prudential step in view of the numerous boundary disputes that have cropped up all over the southern continent.

Chile was more fortunate than Great Britain in securing changes in the postage stamp map, tor the new issue still contains a blob of Argentine shade for the British Falkland Islands. An old country like Britain, of course, is less sensitive in these matters than the comparatively young South American' States, but, none the.less, there have been several diplomatic representations on the subject. WITHOUT EFFECT. The attention of Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden was called to the first stamp issued, and, instructing the Ambassador in Buenos Aires to protest, he remarked that advancement h of Argentina's claim to the Crown. Colony islands could only affect existing friendly relations between * the two countries. The Ambassador's protest is now seen to have no effect. Argentina has. pressed her claim to^ the islands periodically ior nearly a century. It is based on historical grounds and those of geographical contiguity. '■ The • Argentine attitude has been featured in more recent years by refusal to recognise mail from the? islands with the British colonial stamp and the refusal of Argentine civil registry and police officials to recognise islanders' as British subjects. ; On arrival in Argentina they are forced to take out an Argentine carnet or passport. p , - .- -London refuses to admit the Argentine claim and, so far as historical, including occupation;, evidence T?oes, there seems little at the back of it. Kecently, when discussing the postage stamp issue,/ Buenos Aires editors have shown not a little anxiety that their country will suffer'".as. a. result' of this petty molestation of Argentina's biggest, .commercial client., . .:. PENALISED AT OTTAWA. Argentina lost out considerably when the Ottawa preferential policy was inaugurated and there are fears that she will lose more when British Imperial duties come up for reconsideration. Argentines know their old customer well enough to realise, she will not take 'reprisals but they- do- fear- that continual revamping of th.c; Falklands issue will lose ihany British" friends for their country just,at the time when it is .in her interests .to Increase them. That a keen London eye is being focused on Argentina's relations with Great Britain, was shown once again when the Colonial.Secretary, was.asked in the House of Commons,on what terms the Buenos-.Aires Government ■had been permitted, to. erect"-a weather station on La.ure Island,' South Orkneys, - a dependency.. of- the-, Falkland Islands. He was also, asked whether this permission implied Argentine admission of British sovereignty or whether he would make continuation dependent on such recognition. , ' The Minister's reply revealed that the station had been established by a British Antarctic expedition in 1903, but, in response to an invitation, the Argentine Meteorological* Department took 'charge 6* it .the following year and Had maintained "the observatory ever since. As a matter of fact, the South Orkneys only became'a dependency of the Falkland Islands four years after the. offer was accepted. Theßntsh Government; apparently, does not consider Argentine ...maintenance of _ the observatory .as .any..danger .to .British sovereignty of the islands.