-3‘life on their island. He explained that the levels of activity were
too low to be harmful but were quite important from a scientific point
of view.
From the questions asked, I could not help but feel that
there must have been some outside influence involved.
During the
meeting several people got up and openly said they would not allow
themselves to be examined.
However, as the meeting progressed, some
of the talking seemed to do some good since others said that they
would be examined and finally the magistrate agreed that we could
continue with our plans with people being examined on a voluntary
basise
I was particularly disappointed that John, the former magistrate,
was opposed to the examinations and I spent considerable time with
him personally discussing the situation.
As the examinations progressed in the next few days, the people warmed up considerably and
soon even John came in and asked to be exanined.
This was most gratify-
ing and, by the time the examinations were complete two weeks later,
only one woman had refused to be examined and a general feeling of
warmth and friendship was apparent in the people. It is hoped that
on subsequent examinations we will not encounter the degree of
opposition fourid this year.
At the end of the examinations a party was given for the Rongelap
people in the palm grove behind the village. Licut. Lassiter, skipper
of the LST, kindly furnished a meal for the village and we gave them
siall gifts.
Songs were sung and a good time was had by all.
Qn the day of departure another council meeting was held in the church
following church services and I presented to the people a brief summary
of their medical status. In addition to pointing out that they were
generally found to be in good health, I tried to point out certain
hygienic rules which I recommended they follow, such as those related
to oral hygiene, use of latrines, fly prevention, and cleanliness of
infected skin, etc.
Cn Monday, 9 March, the UN team arrived by plane and held a meeting
in the church. Present were Mr. Chiping A. C. Kiang of China, chairman,
Mr. Alfred Claeys-Bouuaert of Belgium, Mr. U tin Mawmg of Burma, and
Mr. Sergio Kociancich of Italy. Mr. John DeYoung, Mr. Maynard Neas,
and Mr. Boyd Mackenzie, Trust Territory representatives, were there
in addition to three or four UN secretaries. It wes soon apparent
in this neeting that the earlier council meeting I attended was a
dress rehearsal for this meeting since-practically all of the same
questions that had previously been asked were asked of the UN tean,
Mr. Kiang and other members of the team turned many of these questions
over to me for answering and some were answered by Dr. Held.
The UN
menbers seemed to be pleased with the way the meeting went and in
fact save considerable support to our causes On completion of the
meeting I furnished them with a brief summary (which I stressed was
preliminary in nature) on the survey findings. (Unfortunately, I
did not have time to duplicate this statement before their departure.)
US DOE ARCHIVES
/8