800.014 Antarctic/11–1948: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Chile 1
431. Chil Amb Nov 26 handed Daniels2 draft declaration identical with version Emb London tel Nov 24 rptd Stgo3 and requested orally that US Gov join in agreement (Stgo tel 750 Nov 194). Dept expressed to Chil Amb desire to cooperate in every practicable way and to make any confidential or public statement that wld be appropriate in circumstances. On Nov 30 Chil Emb was informed that Dept believes it wld be even more effective and appropriate for US Gov to make a parallel but separate statement either confidentially to three Govs concerned or publicly if those Govs so desired. Basis for separate statement rather than participation in tripartite understanding wld be (a) US cld make more unqualified commitment re sending vessels, (b) further Chil negotiation with Arg and Gr Brit wld probably be required for US quadripartite participation, and (c) Dept doubts appropriateness of quadripartite participation because it pertains to problem which has directly concerned only other three countries. Dept’s statement wld be as follows:
“The Gov of the US is very pleased to learn that the Govs of Arg, Chile and Gr Brit have informed each other that (text of final understanding to be quoted here).
This Gov does not contemplate sending any vessels to Antarctic during the 1948–1949 Antarctic season”.
Since US considers not appropriate be party to agreement or declaration, Dept does not feel it shd comment on inclusion of point about no new bases. However, Dept mentioned to Chil Emb our understanding that UK disinclined to include this point.
[Page 1016]Stgo pls mention foregoing informally to Chil FonMin.
Rptd to London for informal communication to FonOff and to Buenos Aires for info with requests that Embs obtain informal reaction of UK and Arg Govs to possible US statement.