U.S. PLAN FOR THE ANTARCTIC

Grey River Argus, 30 August 1948, Page 5

U.S. PLAN FOR THE ANTARCTIC

U.N.Q. Trusteeships Object to Safeguard Cape Horn From Attack ? (Rec. 9.5) WASHINGTON, Aug. 28 The United States has proposed that' the conflicting claims to Antarctic territory be .solved through some form of internationalisation. The U.S. State Department stated to-day that this proposal has been communicated to New Zealand, Australia, Argentine, Chile, France, Norway and the United Kingdom. The State Department emphasised that the proposal has been made informally, with a suggestion that a solutioi. for the territorial problem of Antarctica be discussed. The United States view is that the solution “should be such as to promote scientific investigation and research' The State Department, in its statement, did not elaborate on what form internationalisation might, take.' The United Press, however, says: It is presumed that the Department contemplates a United Nations’ trusteeship. The statement said that the United States expects that the question will require an extended exchange of views and that, until such an exchange is completed, “it is not believed that any useful, purpose could be accomplished by a conference on the subject, and no such conference is contemplated at present. - The United Press says: Observers consider that the proposal for internationalisation may have been dictated by United States defence considerations. The acknowledged yulneratility of the Panama Canal in modern warfare makes it imperative for the United States to .make sure that no potential enemy can establish air bases in Antarctica within striking distance of the Cape Horn route. This route might have to be used for three or four years in the vent of Panama Canal being closed'by a surprise enemy air attack. The United States has laid no formal claim to any section of Antarctica, despite extensive American exploration, and it has not given formal recognition to the claims of any other nation.