Tab A
——
(Truk District)
SATAWAN
Satawan Island, the seat of native (Mortlockese) government of Satawan
atoll, was inspected on 20 January, after arrival by U.S.S, LST-611 from
Kapingamarangi, There is no U.S, official on Satawan, The LST-61l entered
the lagoon, and the inspection party was landed by one of the ship's LCVP at
the village coral-stone pier, Here, the party was met by Chief Ario and a
majority of the 325 villagers. Inspection was made of the village, with
stops at the council house, school, dispensary, store, churches, and the exJapanese airfield. xcept for the school, churches and dispensary, the vil-
lage construction was of wooden frame (sides and floor); corrugated sheet iron
roof; low ceiling; glass windows; concrete or stone raised—post foundation.
Many air raid shelters were in evidence in the vicinity of the ex-airfield,
Seven small Japanese tanks were varaded opposite the Catholic church,
During
the stay, the school children sang "America", and several popular American
songs for the party, all in well-trained part-singing, and on departure from
the dock, the assembled people sang "Adeste Fidelis" in excellent harmony,
Administrative program,
(a)
Self-government,.
The Chief, Ario, is elderly, dignified, forceful, The
Assistant Chief, Johannes, anpeared intelligent, energetic, and
x
A.
woraee
ambitious. The. council and comminity court justice were reported to be functioning efficiently. Finances and budget reflected a financially poor people,
(b)
Health and sanitation.
(1)
Health services are administered by two native health
aides, who had been trained for six months at the CivAd
dispensary, Truk.
The dispensary was of thatched-roof, open-
adequate size; and was well-stocked with supplies. Medical
records were reported to have been sent to Truk for inspec
tion. The immnization program, found to be excellent in
other islands inspected, was deficient on this island. The
general nutrition of the people was satisfactory, although
body and clothing (American) cleanliness was below average.
Tuberculosis was reported by the health aides to be nonexistent, but this is seriously questioned and bears close
investigation by the U.S.S. WHIDBEY, Yaws appeared to be of
high incidence, and patients are receiving prescribed treatment.
(2)
Sanitation was average.
The village streets, buildings
and general area were clean, DDT had been sprayed weekly, as
in the other islands inspected, but the supply was exhausted
wee
KEPRUDUCED FROM HOLDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
side construction, with (breadfruit) board floor; was of
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panincht