Thank you for your telegram 17th December, NO. 348.

HEARD ISLAND

Definitive reactions of the United States State Department to our
approach regarding Argentine and Chilean encroachments in Falkland
Islands Dependencies (my telegram 7th October, D. No.812) have not
yet been received. Preliminary attitude of State Department
officials was one of considerable reserve and there were
suggestions that action in sense we contemplated might precipitate
assertion of United States claims in Antarctic or some other step
which would be embarrassing. In view of continuing Argentine
encroachments we have, however, now felt it necessary to instruct
United Kingdom Ambassadors in Buenos Aires and Santiago to present
notes as originally contemplated.

2. In the circumstances and until we have a clearer idea of United
States intentions we would suggest for consideration of Australian
Government that if the press announcement has not already been
made about Heard Island it might be prudent to limit it to brief
statement on lines of extract quoted in your telegram and not to
give it special prominence or publicity. [1]