Then, on December 1, 1947,
newspepers throupsoutr the United Scutes
carried an ennouncement that the Atomic
Energy Comnission had decided upon
Eniwetok Atoll as a new site for atowle wetpons experimentation.
The 145
inhabitants ef Eniwetok in the northern Marshalis were to be moved from their
‘home atell within threa uceks,
Their destination:
Ujelang.
A Vashiagton
news release a short time later quoted the Navy Department ag “having no present
plans for moving the Bbikinians from Ronserik."
The problem et Rongerik reverted
to its pre-Ujclang status with one less possibility for relocation,
1
4
At this point the administration decided to review tha entire situation.
Perhaps there was an outside chence that Bikinians could be persuaded
cr
oO
*
remain on Rongerik if some program of repianting or other improvement of the
ates
atoll's resources could be effected,
Tre high commissioner of the Trust
Territory gave the probicuw his personal attention from headcuarters in Uewaii.
Because of my previous experience with the Marshallese and vast employment
with the government on a survey of Marshsllicse economics, I was invited to
conduct an independent investigation on Rongerik, giving special attention to
the human resources of the atoll.
For more than a week, fren Janucry into February, 1948, 1 lived with the
Bikinians on Rongerik and observed them in action,
No decter or agriculturist
was necded to conciude that the islandors were living in an extreme state of
impoverighment due to the axhaustion of local food supplies.
Tne people head
dwindling sources of marine and plant food nore
O
rh
even organized their economic system on a more communal basis to explots their
fectively.
that I could suggest to revive interest in contiayed residence on Roncerik.
the agviculturist who six months
bo.
I seconded the recommendations o
ta
Rongerik.,
go enywhere if they could only leave
G9?
fhe inhabitants told me they were ready to
earlier had declared that “departure from Rorgerik has been too long delayed."