‘ooc,
4,
A payment made under the provisions of this act
all claims
shall be in full settlement and discharge of
against the Uniced States arising out of the thermonuclear
detonation on -larch 1, 1954,"
Despite the finality of the language of
the act,
the Assistant
Secretary's letter in part, read as follows:
"There is.
illness.
to date. no evidence of leukemia nor of radiation
Further, whether or not the radiation has had any
Life-shortening affects is not apparent.
It does appear,
however, that bone development in young children who were affected
by the fallout may have been retarded, and also that there is
a possibility of a somewhat greater incidence of miscarriages and
stillbirths among the exposed women.
Neither sufficient time
has elapsed nor sufficient knowledge acquired to permit
positive conclusions to be drawn as to the long-range effect
of the fallout on the Rongelapese.
“Compensation in various forms has been paid to the affected
individuals.
They have been provided extensive medical care and
treatment, and they continue to receive periodic examinations and
treatment.
They were,
of course,
provided housing and subsistence
from the time of their evacuation until their return to Rongelap,
Since
their return,
in addition
a community building,
to new houses,
and other facilities,
a school,
a church,
they have been given
new livestock and agricultural aid, as well as subsistence in
decreasing amounts.
Small claims for property losses, such as
clothing and handtools, were paid by the Department of Defense
soon after the event.
These claims were paid in a total amount of $6,869.
“In February 1960 a complaint against
sent
the United States was
to the high court of the Trust Territory by attorneys, for the
Rongelapese.
The complaint sought $8,509,000 as compensation for
property damage,
radiation sickness,
burns,
physical and mental
apony, loss of consortium, and medical expenses.
suit was dismissed for lack of jurisdiction.
~16-
IO105 75
In January 1°%1 the