Western Hemisphere 191
MID#1643
Dispute Number: 1643
Date(s): April 1891
Participants: 200 United Kingdom, 220 France/155 Chile
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (Imposed)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: Great Britain, Germany, France, and the United States protested Chile’s
closing its ports to commerce. In early April 1891, France sent two warships to the
area, and President Balmaceda reopened the ports.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from February 2, 1891. End Date changed from
June 24, 1891. Outcome changed from Unclear. Settlement changed from None.
MID#1698
Dispute Number: 1698
Date(s): February 15, 1947 to October 3, 1947
Participants: 155 Chile, 160 Argentina/200 United Kingdom
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: Chile entered Antarctica with an expedition on February 14, 1947, and
established camps. Argentina followed with their own expedition on April 3. On
December 7, the British ambassador in Buenos Aires, Sir Reginald Leeper, handed
a note to the Argentines expressing British “anxiety” over the Argentine expedition
into the Antarctic. Ten days later the British ambassador to Chile, Sir John Leche, did
the same to Chile. On January 28, 1948, the Argentines responded that the Antarctic
expedition was part of its overall claims to the Falkland Islands and that no charge
of annexation by the British was in order. Therefore, Argentina would not evacuate
its station in Antarctica. Argentina suggested these issues be addressed at a tripartite
conference also involving Chile.
Coding changes: End Date changed from April 3, 1947.
MID#2840
Dispute Number: 2840
Date(s): January 17, 1948 to July 17, 1948
Participants: 155 Chile, 160 Argentina/200 United Kingdom
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: Chile and Argentina staked claims in the Antarctic that conflicted with
claims Britain had made previously. Chile began establishing bases, and Argentina
occupied an island. Both countries made a show of force near the Falkland Islands as
well. The British dispatched warships to the area in response.
Coding changes: Dropped from the dispute: 385 Norway. End Date changed from
March 6, 1948.