ANTARCTICA: HEARD ISLAND

Attached hereto are three copies of United Kingdom Government's
written reply to our enquiry regarding their views regarding the
title to and occupation of Heard Island. (Your memorandum Nos. 727
and 791) You should have already received our telegram No. 4204 of
22nd November summarising the attached reply. [1]

2. Within the Commonwealth Relations Office a certain amount of
anxiety has been expressed regarding the tone of the Prime
Minister's proposed announcement regarding the occupation of these
islands by Australia. It seems that they are just a little worried
lest a declamatory announcement of outright annexation within the
next month or so may provoke other Powers either to make claims
elsewhere in the Antarctic, or may offer a precedent for a general
rush to grab land.