Foreign Relations of the United States, 1948, General; the United Nations, Volume I, Part 2

800.014 Antarctic/10–148

Memorandum of Conversation, by the Chief, Division of Northern European Affairs (Hulley)

secret

[Washington,] October 1, 1948.

Participants:	Mr. T. H. Eustace, Chargé d’Affaires ad Interim, Legation of South Africa
	Mr. W. Dirkse-van-Schalkwyk, First Secretary, Legation of South Africa
	Mr. Edward T. Wailes, Chief, BC
	Mr. Benjamin M. Hulley, Chief, NOE
	Mr. John O. Bell, Associate Chief, NOE

Mr. Eustace said he came under instruction to bring to our attention the interest of South Africa in the Antarctic proposals mentioned in our press release of August 28, 1948.¹ He said he was speaking quite informally and did not intend to send us a note or any other communication. He spoke from a page of notes, a copy of which is attached.

I said I would be glad to comment equally informally giving my personal first reactions which should be regarded as unofficial. I was interested in the South African view that Antarctica is terra nullius and asked if that meant that none of the claims advanced would stand up in court. He said this was about the position apart from places like the Falkland Islands which had long been inhabited. I pointed out that the Falkland Islands did not come into our definition of the area and added that we too have doubts as to how far any of the claims which have been filed would be recognized by an international court under the accepted rules of international law.

I agreed that control of the area would be of vital concern to South Africa and that we had had this in mind when we drafted our plan, particularly in the provision for new member nations. However, I thought we would be embarrassed to bring any other nations into it before an agreement was reached since this might be a precedent for bringing in still other nations which we were taking care not to invite directly or indirectly. Specifically we had in mind Russia which had explored part of the area over a hundred years ago and had left names for some of the geographical features.

I said that whaling did not come into the picture as we contemplated only the land area, and whaling is covered by a separate international agreement. I agreed that meteorological data would be of utmost value to all the Southern Hemisphere and this and other scientific investigation seemed now to promise the main value of the continent. We have thought of trans-Antarctic airways, but from a study of the map, have concluded that this was not likely to be of interest, as, apart from Polar weather hazards, great circle routes between major cities in the Southern Hemisphere do not pass over the continent. As regards economic exploitation, we felt it to be of minor importance on the basis of our present knowledge, but were aware that future developments might change this.

With regard to informing him of the details of our approach to the other countries, I said I would want to consult other officers of the Department and would let him know next week.

He said he would not discuss this with any other Embassy here. I agreed this was best but I saw no objection if he wanted to talk to the British about it.

[Annex]

Copy of Notes Prepared by the South African Embassy²

Notes on Antarctica

1. Refer to State Department, Washington, Press Release of 28th August, 1948.

2. The Union has not hitherto advanced any claim to Antarctic territory most of which it has regarded as terra nullius.

3. However, South Africa is the only major power in the Southern Hemisphere which is apparently to have no say in the future control and administration of the Antarctic Continent.

4. Control, when it is exercised, will doubtless prove to be of vital concern to the Union.

5. No one would deny our important whaling interests in the Antarctic.

6. On the meterological side we hope to benefit from the establishment of stations at Antarctic bases.

7. When trans-Arctic air communications become possible, they will be of definite interest to South Africa as will be apparent from any map.

8. When economic exploitation and development become possible, doubtless the Union will be one of the main bases from which operations will take place.

9. Finally, in the field of long range and long term strategy, the control of Antarctica will always be a matter of major concern to South Africa.

These points it is hoped will indicate the extent of South Africa’s interests and should justify consideration being given to the association of the Union with any organization or machinery which may be devised to control and administer the Antarctic Continent.

The Union Government will be grateful to receive particulars of the approach which has been made to the Governments so far concerned and trusts that the United States will appreciate the extent of South Africa’s concern with the proposals for some form of internationalization of the Antarctic Continent. It is accordingly hoped that an opportunity will be provided for the South African Government to comment in detail on any proposals which are made in this regard.

Washington, 1 October 1948.

1. See the editorial note, p. 1004.
2. South African Chargé Eustace spoke from these notes during the conversation recorded above.