deed, this study quite emphatically stated that we did have 
interests in the polar regions for the following reasons: the 
impending importance of transpolar aviation; the impor- 
tance of strategic location from a military standpoint; the 
probability of rich mineral resources; the active political 
interests in Antarctica expressed in claims; and concern 
about potential claims by other countries. Hull’s recom- 
mendations led to the almost immediate establishment of 
the United States Antarctic Service in the Department of 
the Interior. This was initiated on January 7, 1939. 
That the President planned the establishment of a num- 
ber of summer settlements to provide the basis for exten- 
sive claims is now clear. What is now Queen Maud Land, 
almost directly south of the Cape of Good Hope, was one 
of the areas to be settled. 
However, before the United States could take any action, 
Norway published its claims to this area. At the same time 
Hitler’s expedition to ‘““New Schwabia’’ was on its way to 
claim a large part of this land. Though Norway did have 
other reasons for making claims, it was probably this Ger- 
man bid for sovereignty that precipitated Norway’s actions. 
In 1929-1930, Captain Hyjalmar Ruiser-Larsen photo- 
graphed from the air what is now Princess Martha Coast, 
and there were further Norwegian explorations in this 
region in 1930-1931 and in the years thereafter. ‘Che luc- 
rative whaling industry has long been dominated by the 
Norwegians and the coastal seas of this part of the continent 
are of great importance to the industry, for the huge factory 
ships not only operate near the pack ice, but occasionally 
break through it toward the coast. 
There was such a feeling of urgency stemming from the 
rising power of Hitler and the approaching war that a 
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