Editorial Note
On January 18, 1949, the Governments of the United Kingdom, Argentina, and Chile exchanged statements in London, Buenos Aires, and Santiago in the following terms:
“Being anxious to avoid misunderstanding in Antarctica which might upset the friendly relations between the United Kingdom, Argentina and Chile, the Governments of these three countries have informed each other that in the present circumstances they foresee no need to send warships South of Latitude 60° during the 1948–49 Antarctic season, apart, of course, from the routine movements such as have been customary for a number of years.” (Parliamentary Debates, House of Lords, 5th series, volume 160, column 419)
Also on January 18, the Department of State issued to the press a statement taking pleased note of the terms of the tripartite declarations and announcing that the United States Government did not contemplate sending any vessels to Antarctica during the 1948–1949 Antarctic season. For the text of the Department’s statement, see Department of State Bulletin, January 30, 1949, page 149.
For documentation on the antecedents of these declarations, see Foreign Relations, 1948, volume I, Part 2, pages 962 ff.