GOVERNMENT NOTICE 
The following Proclamation was promulgated at the Prince Edward Islands 
on the 24th January, 1948, and is now published for general information: 
No. 12, 1948. 
PROCLAMATION 
By His Excellency the Right Honourable Gideon Brand van Zyl, a Member 
of His Majesty’s Most Honourable Privy Council, Governor-General of the Union 
of South Africa. 
PRINCE EDWARD ISLANDS 
Whereas the National Flag of the Union of South Africa was hoisted by the 
Commander of His Majesty’s South African Frigate Transvaal on Marion Island, 
situate latitude 46° 53’ S., longitude 37° 45’ E., on the 29th December 1947, and . 
on Prince Edward Island, situate latitude 46° 36’ S., longitude 37° 57’ E., on the 
4th January, 1948; 
And whereas effective occupation and administration of the said Islands by 
His Majesty’s Government in the Union of South Africa were established as 
from the aforesaid dates and will continue permanently; 
Now, therefore, by virtue of the powers vested in me by Section six of the 
Royal Executive Functions and Seals Act, 1934, I do hereby proclaim and declare 
that His Majesty’s sovereignty over Marion Island and Prince Edward Island is 
henceforth to be exercised by His Majesty’s Government in the Union of South 
Africa. 
GOD SAVE THE KING 
Given under my Hand and Great Seal at Cape Town on this Twelfth day of 
January, One thousand Nine hundred and Forty-eight. 
(signed) G. BRAND VAN ZYL, 
Governor General. 
By command of His Excellency the Governor-General-in-Council. 
(signed) J. C. Smuts 
UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLICS 
Area of Claim. None 
Date of Claim. None 
Remarks. When the Government of Norway in 1939 announced a 
claim to Antarctic territories, including Peter I Island, first sighted by a 
Russian navigator in 1821, the Soviet Union sent a note to Norway ob- 
serving that it would reserve its opinion as to the national status of terri- 
tories discovered by Russian citizens. In the autumn of 1948, the United 
States Government circulated a proposal among the nations with an- 
nounced claims calling for a discussion on possible arrangements for a 
condominium in the area. Although not a recipient of this United States 
communication, the Soviet Union took cognizance of its existence in a 
memorandum of June 10, 1950, setting forth its position that no territorial 
settlement should be made in the Antarctic without its participation. 
AS ae 
