Evening star., 1954-06-10

citizens Of the Marshall Islands.
It said:
1--WE feel that we must follow
the dictates of our consciences
to bring forth this urgent plea
to the United Nations. ! We
request that all the experiments
with lethal weapons within this
area be Immediately ceased.
If these experiments are "ab-
solutely necessary for the even
tual well-being of all the people
of the world" then it urged bet
ter precautionary measures and
adequate compensation for up
rooted citizens.
Isles Have 11,OOO Population.
The Marshall Islands, scene
of United States atomic expert
ments. are occupied by the
United States under a trustee
ship from the United Nations.
With a population of 1900, the
islands are a group of low lying
atolls. All residents of Bikini
and Eniwetok AtoolS were re-
moved from them several years
ago so atomic tests could 60
forward.
Then, in the March test OF
the hydrogen bomb, IS persons
on Rongelap Atoll suffered ra-
diation burns from falling ash.
The 236 residents Of Rongelap
and Utirik Atolls were evacuated
on a temporary basis.
The MarShalleSe are scared.
After talking with them for 10
days, I feel they are most con-
cerned lest the atomic tests force
them to lose their home lagoons.
They put the gist Of their
fears and hopes into the petition
they sent to the United Nations
in April; it is to come before the
petitions committee of the U. N.
Trusteeship Council late in June.
Worked on Petitions for Month.
I'VE spent a month working
on it," said Heine, spokesman
for the committee that origi-
mated it. I'VE purposely did not
let Mr.. Meas Maynard Meas,
acting district administrator or
other Americans know about it.
We were afraid they would get
into trouble"
Heine is superintendent of the
Marshall Island schools. He and
Allan Anien, a teacher, were
chief craftsmen of the petition.
"It taxed me and Allan to
write it." said Heine. I'VE
worked every day for nearly q
month. We would meet with
other MarshaIlese and put down
their ideas. Then we would
make rough draft.
u thought we had too many
dangers in it. So I looked
through the dictionary and de-
cided on 'lethal.'
Heine is 35, with dark skin
and bushy hair. He went to
mission schools. and worked for
the United States Navy as a
guide and interpreter in World
War II.
No Lack Of Confidence.
He says the petition implies
no lack of confidence in the
trust territory government-that
Americans here felt responsible
for what happened March 1.
There Is no question that in
dealing with the unforeseen
trouble at Rongelap and Utirik
a magnificent job was done by
all hands-the Atomic Energy
Commission, the Joint Task
Force, the Trust Territory gov
ernment and Kwajalein Naval
Air Station.
But why wasn't the possibility
foreseen? Actually it was, and
when it happened the trouble
was quickly detected. AS Acc
Chairman Lewis L. Strauss an
nounced, the "detonation was
larger than expected" It spread
over a much wider area as a re-
suit. Then a sudden shift in
high altitude winds carried the
radioactivity in an unexpected
direction.
Besides the natives % United
States military personnel on
Rongerik Atoll-between Rom
gelap and Utirik-were exposed.
All those affected are re-
covering without serious con-
sequences, officials say.
No Fall Out in Later Tests.
Since the March detonation
two additional tests have been
announced-with no significant
fall-out Of radioactive material