Sj . yh po & at . tee ted Fok gees Mite furan): p/PEr.10/40 English Page 5 page Making these requires a large amount of fresh water. Of course, this handicraft production developed after these people moved to Killi. However, I don't _ think the abundant water supply iuwpresses the Killi people as wuch today for they reise thet radn brings swamps and swompo ure brcecdtny grounda for mouqui.toca. Now they face the problems of infections from the mosquitoes and flies; no onc 1s without sores or scars. ‘ They didn't die of thirst on Bikini, but they do become. 411 from infections. One advantage of coming to Kilii was the fact that it was univhabited. The _ first two settlement attempts wore unsuccessful because the original inhabitants were oORCERRREHTY * go9IRy ~ cou “i unvilling to give up preciousland. But what was dons with the land on Killi? The people have all. crowded together in a narrow stavip of land near the vcuch while over 9c, of the island is still uninhabited. ‘he crowded conditions go against the Marshallese customs; there is now severe overcrowding with the increase in . population. Sanitation has become a problem, Animals, garbage, insects, a]1 kinds of wastes are concentrated in this small area. Regardless of where the fault lies, the situation exists, and no one likes it. Why did the Bikinians decide to leave their atoll? onewonders how well, they understood the situation. Of course, the bomb. Put One Peace Corps Volunteer inquired, and the reply implicd that they never undorstood the intentions of the United States very clearly. Scme have said that they left Bikini because they weve told that the atoll would be bombed whether they left or not! is true, but it is something to think about. I don't know if this These are native people, and they are easily impressed. : For all their trouble, the Killi people received $25,000 cash and $300,000 placed in bonds from which they receive the interest. largé amount but neither is it a trifle. This is not a spectacularly As we examine the reality, however, we are less and less impressed. ‘ihe money settlement was not made until 1957, ten years after they were moved! There was no retroactive clause or arrears paid. The interest from-the trust fund wlll arrive on this ficl.d trip ship ess exactly $12 per person. This amount is paid semi-annually. It does not amount to much on an island where the cost of one gallon of kerosene is $1. These people are not satisfied; they wane to go home. Finally there are two examples of another kind of hardship these people endure. The ragistrate of Killi, a traditional leader, is dying of cancer. He has veento . 1