Approach - Vol 2 No 09 - 1959 12

Magazine Overview

Title: APPROACH
Issue: Vol. 2, No. 9
Date: December, 1959
Publisher: Sagittarius Publishers, Pretoria, South Africa
Editor: Edgar Sievers

This issue of APPROACH, a monthly review focused on 'Man in Life and Space', presents a robust defense of George Adamski's (G.A.) claims against recent criticisms, primarily from Major Keyhoe and Arthur Campbell. The magazine is a non-profit publication of the Peace and Brotherhood Programme.

Editorial: Don't Forget the Pilgrim's Ultimate Destination

The lead editorial, 'Don't Forget the Pilgrim's Ultimate Destination', addresses the difficulty of translating inner spiritual progress into reality. It acknowledges the human tendency towards procrastination and seeking easier, distracting pleasures. The piece encourages readers to recognize the present moment ('NOW') for spiritual work, despite the body's weakness and unreliable moods. It suggests guiding one's thinking to a higher level to understand the Self as originating from a universal fount of spiritual energy. The process of solidification into dense, tangible matter is described as leading to inertia and laziness, which should be granted. However, the reader is urged to remember the universal impulse towards the higher origin and to have patience and faith, without forcing oneself.

His Claims Still Stand

This section introduces a detailed reply, with minor omissions, from G.A.'s secretary to an attempt to disprove one of his claims. The editor welcomes such attempts as a natural check on 'unnatural lush advancement in UFO research', ensuring healthy growth. It's argued that disbelievers, using fair methods, can help uncover the ultimate truth. The article highlights that unlike many claimants, G.A. has consistently answered serious charges, and when he remains silent, it's not due to a lack of substance but due to being tied, or because the contender lacks understanding.

Lucy McGinnis Answers Keyhoe: The Davenport Event As It Occurred

This is the core of the issue, featuring a lengthy response from Lucy McGinnis, G.A.'s secretary, to criticisms published in NICAP's 'UFO Investigator' (June 1959), particularly those concerning the 'Davenport Event'. Arthur Campbell of the Kansas City UFO Study Club and NICAP had investigated the event and concluded it disproved G.A.'s story.

McGinnis begins by stating that she and G.A. have previously ignored attacks due to being busy, but have now decided to respond because Keyhoe has 'gone out of your way to try to discredit a man who is doing his best to awaken the people'.

The Davenport Event Narrative:

According to McGinnis, a year prior, George Adamski was invited to lecture in Davenport, Iowa. He boarded a train in Kansas City. Shortly after departure, the train stopped, and a man from a nearby highway identified himself as a space visitor. Adamski left the train, his luggage was taken, and they drove to a scout ship using an antigravity beam. He was then flown to Davenport in time for his lecture. McGinnis dismisses 'teleportation' as a misinterpretation.

Refutation of Campbell's and Keyhoe's Points:

McGinnis addresses specific points raised by Campbell and Keyhoe:

• Palomar Gardens Café: Campbell stated Adamski operated a hot dog stand with a telescope on the roof. McGinnis clarifies that the café was owned by Mrs. Alice K. Wells, and Adamski only helped occasionally. There were telescopes on the grounds, but none on the roof.
• Ticket Purchase: Campbell claimed railroad and chair-car tickets were bought on December 1st, witnessed by the Wheelers. McGinnis states the purchase stamp on the railroad ticket was November 26, 1958. She details how she purchased a round-trip ticket for Adamski at Union Station in Kansas City, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler, due to TWA being on strike and trains being full.
• Train Departure and Adamski's Luggage: Campbell's report stated a porter took Adamski's luggage. McGinnis clarifies that a Red Cap took the luggage to the truck at 9:00 am, noting the train was late. Adamski was tipped, and the Red Cap mentioned seat tickets could be bought on the train. McGinnis and Mrs. Wheeler remained until the train arrived and expected to accompany Adamski, but due to the crowd and late arrival, they only watched him board. No porter was seen with the luggage.
• Adamski's Departure from the Train: McGinnis recounts Adamski's experience of leaving the train in the KC switch yards. He had been standing for a long time and decided to get out to 'stretch his legs'. He saw a man approaching and was offered a ride by a space traveler, who helped him with his luggage. They drove to a grove of trees where a scout craft was hovering. McGinnis uses this to question why others didn't see it, suggesting they might have seen but remained silent.
• Recognition of Scenery: A railroad worker at a meeting verified the train procedures and recognized the scenery described by Adamski near a particular bridge, supporting his account.
• Train to Davenport vs. Des Moines: Campbell's 'KC Claim Reviewed' questioned how a train could make up time. McGinnis explains that the train Adamski boarded in Kansas City was scheduled for Des Moines, where his car was switched to another train for Davenport. She notes the initial hour delay and questions if the train reached Des Moines on time for the switch.
• Journey to KC: McGinnis recounts her own journey to Kansas City, where the train was delayed by icy tracks. She verified the delay with the conductor and sent a telegram. However, the train made up time, arriving only 10 minutes late, contrary to Keyhoe's implication of 'furious complaints'.
• England Incident (Mr. Wightman): McGinnis addresses a claim about Adamski's interaction with a Mr. Wightman in England. She states Wightman approached Adamski loudly in a hotel lobby, accusing him without evidence. The hotel manager asked Wightman to leave. McGinnis denies Wightman showed Adamski any documents or that Adamski tried to take them.
• Queen Elizabeth Audience Request (Point No 6): Adamski disclaims ever stating that people in British society were arranging an audience with Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. McGinnis notes words have been put into his mouth before.
• Queen Juliana and Queen Elizabeth (Point No 7): McGinnis points out that Adamski was in England before going to Holland, where he met Queen Juliana. She argues that if Queen Elizabeth were considering an audience, it couldn't have been influenced by events that hadn't yet happened.
• Footprints and Witnesses (Point No 8): McGinnis refutes the claim that Adamski reported 'one of his party' saw footprints immediately after a 1952 contact. She states Adamski always said his six witnesses saw the footprints. She mentions Betty Bailey, Betty Williamson (who took photos), and G.H. Williamson (who made plaster casts), questioning why Williamson's name wasn't mentioned and noting he supported Adamski's statements.
• Photographs of Space Craft: McGinnis acknowledges that critics like Frank Edwards and Lonzo Dove call Adamski's photos fake, but states it's easier to denounce than prove.
• Government and Craft Construction: The article questions why governments are spending billions on craft similar to those described by Adamski if it's a hoax, especially when Adamski's earlier descriptions of space conditions, contrary to accepted ideas in '54 & '55, have since been proven by satellites.
• Flying Around Venus (Error No 10): McGinnis corrects a claim that Adamski reported flying around Venus. She states he claimed to have flown beyond the moon, but not around Venus. She explains that negatives are protected due to past instances of them being returned damaged or lost.
• Landing Near Davenport (Error No 11): McGinnis clarifies that the space craft did not land near Davenport in daylight as suggested by Keyhoe. Adamski was told that landing in daylight would likely result in his arrest and being held 'incommunicado', citing the example of Mr. Schmidt, who was arrested after a similar encounter. Adamski was warned that even if hundreds saw him land, they would be silenced.

McGinnis concludes by questioning Keyhoe's motives, suggesting he might be acting under orders or using Adamski's name for publicity. She expresses Adamski's appreciation for the attention, which allows him to reach interested people. She draws a parallel between Keyhoe's attacks on Adamski and NICAP's potential fabrications, stating that truth will eventually be revealed.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently champions the investigation of UFO phenomena and upholds the credibility of witnesses and claimants like George Adamski. The editorial stance is one of open-minded inquiry, encouraging critical examination but also defending those who present extraordinary claims against what is perceived as unfair or motivated criticism. There's a clear belief in the reality of advanced aerial craft and extraterrestrial contact, and a critique of governmental secrecy and skepticism. The publication also touches upon broader themes of spiritual development and personal truth-seeking, framing UFO experiences within a larger context of human potential and cosmic understanding.