1958 04 01 - Saucerian Bulletin - Vol 3 No 1

Magazine Overview

The Saucerian Bulletin, Vol. 3, No. 1 -- April 1, 1958

This issue of The Saucerian Bulletin, dated April 1, 1958, presents a mix of alleged extraterrestrial encounters, controversial book censorship, and speculative technological advancements. The publication positions itself as a source for "Latest News About Flying Saucers."

Publisher Censors Famous Lama's Book

The lead story highlights the alleged censorship of T. Lobsang Rampa's book, "The Third Eye." The magazine claims that the publisher omitted a "meaty" part of the book, doubting that any "Silence Group" activity was responsible and suggesting the publisher found the content too fantastic. The omitted section, presented as "the missing part," details a telepathic journey undertaken by the author and six other lamas in Tibet. They are guided by a voice to a "Hidden Land" where they encounter a vast, ruined city and an immense metal vehicle. The guide, Lama Mingyar Dondup, explains that this was the home of "Gods" half a million years ago, destroyed by an atomic explosion that caused cataclysmic geological changes and altered Earth's rotation. The text describes buildings of giant scale and a metal structure resembling temple dishes, which they board. Inside, they are addressed by a voice and shown images of the past, including the destruction of the city by a massive wave and a mushroom cloud. They are told of a "White Brotherhood" from various planets safeguarding life and that Earth is a colony. The narrative also includes a prophecy of an "invasion" by Communists, which will be eradicated, leading to a future where all creatures commune. The lamas are then taken on a space ship to view Tibet from above and travel into space.

Contactee Reports and Encounters

The issue features several accounts from individuals claiming contact with extraterrestrials:

• Mrs. Cynthia Appleton: A 27-year-old housewife from Birmingham, England, claims two "tall and blonde" spacemen visited her home, sat down, and spoke with her. They stated their people were willing to come to Earth to "raise the standard of our civilization." Her friends reportedly disbelieved her, but two clergymen believed her story.
• Reinhold Schmidt and John Trasco: The magazine references a previous report about Reinhold Schmidt and a "little boy of Knoxville, Tenn." It notes that the Air Force investigated Schmidt's case and he was briefly committed to an asylum, but was later released, implying he was not crazy. A new report involves John Trasco of Everittstown, N.J., who saw a luminous egg-shaped object hover near his barn. A small man in a green suit emerged and asked if he could take Trasco's dog, which Trasco refused.
• Richard Kehoe: A man from Los Angeles, Calif., reported seeing a strange, solid metal machine on a beach. The occupants, about 5½ feet tall, wore black leather and jerseys, and had yellowish-green skin. They spoke to him and invited him for coffee.
• Flatwoods Monster Connection: The magazine mentions a sighting near Braxton County, W.Va., close to the site of the 1952 "Flatwoods Monster" event. Witnesses observed a cigar-shaped object, about 40 feet long, with ports emitting fire and smoke, landing on a hilltop.
• Jack Wiedman: A 23-year-old from near his home in Ohio watched five silent, motionless objects with flashing red lights for over an hour. One object approached him, described as having dividing bars similar to a plane cabin, but he insisted they were not ordinary aircraft.
• East Thermopolis Sighting: About a dozen residents of East Thermopolis, Wyoming, reported seeing a "round ice blue object as big as a garage and with windows," hovering about 10 feet off the ground. It sped off and disappeared behind a hill, and higher than usual radioactivity was noted in the area.

Book Reviews and Publisher Information

The bulletin includes several book advertisements and mentions:

• "THE THIRD EYE" by T. Lobsang Rampa: Offered at $3.50.
• "MAGIC AND MYSTERY IN TIBET" by Madame Alexandra David-Neel: A reprinted, illustrated book available for $6.00.
• "THE RACE TO THE MOON" by a Scientist of Venus: Described as vital information dictated telepathically, selling for $1.75.
• Charles Fort's books: The magazine offers to supply original editions.
• FATE magazine: A couple hundred back issues are available.
• "SAUCER POST...3-0 BLUE" by Leonard Stringfield: A privately printed book available for $2.50, not sold through the publisher.

Controversies and Editorial Commentary

The issue delves into several controversies within the UFO community:

• James W. Moseley and Lonzo Dove: The editors express boredom with a "feud" with James W. Moseley, editor of "SAUCER NEWS." They discuss a "pasted up joke 'photo'" that appeared in SAUCERIAN REVIEW, which Lonzo Dove allegedly created and then accused the BULLETIN editor of pasting up himself.
• Hoaxed Photo: The magazine addresses a doctored photo of James Moseley, purportedly in front of missile control panels. The editors note that researcher Dove discredited Adamski's photographs using similar technical arguments.
• Maj. Donald E. Keyhoe and NICAP: A segment discusses Maj. Donald E. Keyhoe's appearance on the Armstrong Circle Theatre show, where his audio was cut off after he began to reveal information about NICAP working with a Senate Committee investigating "official secrecy on UFOs."

Technological Speculation

The bulletin includes a report from a McGraw-Hill Publishing Co. executive who claims that "NO MAN WILL GET INTO SPACE IN 1958" but that "THE EXISTENCE OF FLYING SAUCERS... WILL BE DEFINITELY ESTABLISHED." The executive also mentions plans for "development in Baltimore -- conquering the force of gravity, utilization of gravity to power generators and space craft," expecting space craft within a year. The Saucerian Bulletin echoes this sentiment, predicting that the "next major technical breakthrough will be the control of gravity and the use of such knowledge to propel vehicles."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the existence and nature of flying saucers, the potential for extraterrestrial contact, the suppression of information by authorities or publishers, and the belief in imminent technological breakthroughs related to gravity control. The editorial stance is one of advocacy for UFO research, skepticism towards official explanations, and a willingness to publish controversial or extraordinary claims, while also acknowledging and discussing internal community disputes and potential hoaxes.