The comments of the Department were requested with respect to
Miss Kendall's remarks regarding United States policy in the
Antarctic.
  Miss Kendall has been in touch from time to time with officers of
this Department concerning the Antarctic, most recently on July 5,
1950 when questions of the type raised in her letter were discussed at
some length.
  The United States has not recognized any claims of other nations
to territory in Antarctica. It has refrained from asserting an official
claim and has reserved any rights it may have as a result of American
activities in the area. As stated-in a press release of August 28, 194813
the Department believes that any solution of the territorial problem
of Antarctica should be such as to promote scientific investigation and
research -in the area. This can perhaps be done most effectively through
some form of internationalization.
  In view of the fact that other countries' claims to Antarctic terri-
tories are not generally recognized, there would seem-to be'little
merit in Miss Kendall's suggestion that the United States attempt to
bargain for cession of rights to -such territories from nations receiving
economic or military -aid. In fact, -action of this sort might result in
derogation of United States rights in Antarctica.
  Even assuming that certain countries were capable of granting
the United States considerations of value in Antarctica, the Depart-
ment of State does not believe that the method suggested would be
appropriate. You may wish to remind Miss Kendall that financial


aid is extended to foreign coumtries by the United States as a means
of obtaining specific results which are in the national interest 'and
which are, in themselves, worthy of the expenditure. Such aid is not
conceived of as a basis for unlimited claims on the future policies of
other governments, particularly in matters not related to the aid
£xtended. To ask for or expect from the countries participating in
the European Recovery Program, for example, benefits other than
those stated as objectives of the authorizing legislation, would en-
danger realization of our central aim of achieving recovery in Europe.
  The Department of State endeavors to encourage, as far as appro-
priate, the exploration-and scientific investigation of the Antarctic
by American expeditions capable of making significant contributions
to knowledge of the area and-its future possibilities. On the basis of
information now available, however, it is clear that efforts to effect

  3On August 28, 1948, the Department -of State issued to the press a statement
explaining that it had approached the Governments, of Argentina, Australia,
Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom informally with
a suggestion that a solution for the territorial problem of Antarctica be
discussed.
For the text of the statement, see Department of State Bulletin, September
5,
1948, p. 301.


FOREIGN RELATIONS, 1950, VOLUME I


916


I