atoll on March 6,
square miles,
1946.
>
Rongerix has a dry
land area of 2,05
we
scattered over epproximately 1/7 isiands.
has a lagoon area
of
55.38
square inkles.
than the 2.32-square-mile lana area and
This
It
is much
smaller
229.40-square~mile
lagoon aree of Bikini, with its 36 islands
Tne attempt
to
settle at
Rongerik was a failure,
Gue to the insufficient natural resources.
Investigation convened by the Navy on June
that
allegedly
<A Board of
2,
1947,
recommended
the displaced Bikinians be moved again.
The Bikiniane through their leader "King" Juda, as he was
erroneously christened by romantically minded newsmen,
accom-
panied by three leaders (alab) of Bikini, inspected Rongerik,
Kili, UWjilang, Wotto and Ujae to try to find a suitable place
in which to relocate
their people.
The Bikini
people
were
interested in getting back to their ancestral home as rapidly
ag
possible and had allegedly regarded
resetticoments as
only
in inspecting these
August
sent
26,
1947
past and
future
temporary.
The period from June 2, 1947,
spent
tne
possible
the council
of
to September 1, 1947, was
resettlement
the ex-Bikini
areas.
On
people on Rongerik
the following letter to the American authoritics:
(translation):
"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 conSiLdercd them.
In moving we find it quite a
problem.
The place we all agreed to stay on
is Rongerik Atoll.
1
s/We, The Council
gms 9009013