atoll on March 6, 1946. Rorgerik has a dry land area of 0.65 square miles, scattered over approximately 17 islands. has a lagoon area of 55.35 square miles. It This is mucn smaller than the 2.32-square-mile land arca and 229.40-square-mile Jagoon.area of Bikini, with its 36 islands The attempt to settle at Rongerik was a failure, allegedly Gue to the insufficient natural resources. A Board of Investigation convened by the Navy on June 2, 1947, recommended that the displaced Bikinians be moved again. | . The Bikinians through their leader "King" Juda, as he was erroneously christened by romantically minded newsmen, accom- panied by three leaders (alzb) of Bikini, inspected Rongeri«, Kili, Ujilang, Wotto and Ujae to try to find a suitable place “4n which to relocate their people. The Bikini people were interested in getting back to their ancestral home as rapidiy as possible and had allegedly regarded the past and future resettlements as only temporary. The period from June 2, 1947, to September 1, 1947, was spent in inspecting these possible resettlement areas. August 26, On 1947 the council ol. the ex-Bikini people on Rongerik sent the following letter to the American authoritics: “To the Office at Kwajalein: Gentlemen: We the council have held a meeting to find the best place to go to. We have been to some other places to inspect and have con- sidered them. In moving we find it quite a problem. The place we all agreed to stay on is: Rongerik Atoll. -t oe ees PA gs adtps se, The Councii" + (translation): 2% ~ tone he 398 [3103 | POS I ta