atoll on March 6, 1946. square miles, Rongerik has a dry land area of 0,65 scattered over approximately 17 islands. has a lagoon area of 55.36 square miles. It This is much smaller than the 2.32-square-mile land area and 229.40-square-mile lagoon area of Bikini, with its 36 islends The attempt to settle at Ronserik was a failure, due to the insuffictlent natural resources. A Board of Investigation convened by the Navy on June 2, that allegedly 1947, recommended the displaced Bikinians be moved again. The Bikinians 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, Ujilang, 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 893 possible and hed allegedly regarded tne past and rapidly future resettlements as only temporary. The period from June 2, spent to September 1, 1947, in inspecting these possible resettlement areas, August gent 1947, 26, 1947 the council was On of the ex-Bikini people on Rongerik the following letter to the American authoritics: (translation): "fo 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 conSidered them. In moving we find it quite a problem. The place we all agreed to stay on is Rongerik Atoll. 4 sfvie, She Council O13 944