An extension of the Krein--Smulian theorem (Q854546)

It is proved that if \(Z\) is a closed subspace of a Banach space \(X\) and \(K\) is a weak* compact subset of the bidual \(X^{**}\), then the distance from the weak* closed convex hull of \(K\) to \(Z\) is at most 5 times the distance from \(K\) to \(Z\). In the special case \(K\subset Z=X\), we recover the classical Krein--Šmulian theorem. In many cases, these two distances are equal. This is proved in particular for weakly compactly generated Banach spaces, and for spaces whose duals do not contain \(\ell_1\). An example is given where the two distances are different, but it depends on the continuum hypothesis. Since this paper was written, the author, \textit{P.\,Hájek} and \textit{V.\,Montesinos Santalucía} [Math.\ Ann.\ 328, No.\,4, 625--631 (2004; Zbl 1059.46015)] have published examples which do not require the continuum hypothesis.