Eight Power Control Of Antarctica Proposed By America

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22730, 31 August 1948, Page 5

Eight Power Control Of Antarctica Proposed By America

WASHINGTON, Aug. 29. The United States has proposed that the conflicting claims to Antarctic territory be solved through some form of internationalisation. The State Department stated that a proposal had been communicated to New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, Chile, France, Norway and the United Kingdom. The department emphasised that the proposal was made informally with the suggestion that a solution 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 statement did not elaborate on the form internationalisation might take, but the United Press says it is presumed that the department contemplates a United Nations trusteeship. The statement said the United States expects the question will require an extended exchange of views and that till such 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 vulnerability of the Panama Canal in modern v/arfare makes It Imperative for the United States to make sure that no potential enemy can esi tablish air bases on Antarctica within striking distance of the Cape Horn route. This route might have to be used for three or four years in the event of the 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.