Uranus - 1956 - Vol 02 No 4 - Whole No 10

Magazine Overview

Title: URANUS FLYING SAUCERS
Issue: Vol. 2 No. 4 (10)
Date: February, 1956
Publisher: MARKHAM HOUSE PRESS LTD.
Country: United Kingdom
Editor: E. BIDDLE

This issue of Uranus Flying Saucers delves into various aspects of the flying saucer phenomenon, featuring an editorial, a detailed account of a specific sighting, book reviews, and reader correspondence.

This and That (Editorial)

E. Biddle, the editor, begins with a critical look at a 300-page book published by the American Air Force Authorities, which purports to summarize years of UFO investigation. While not having read the full report, Biddle notes from other reviews that its approach, similar to Professor Menzel's, seems to bypass cases that cannot be explained by conventional theories, suggesting it might be an elaborate camouflage. He acknowledges the frustration caused by the inconsistent statements from official spokesmen, attributing it partly to their "sheer incredible ineptitude." However, he also frames the UFO problem within the context of the current age of "catastrophic possibilities, of mutual distrust, of a frantic effort to be first in the fields of space-travel and artificial satellites, of rocketry, of the conquest of gravitation." He posits that top-ranking officials in the American Air Force would likely know more than amateurs but might still be uncertain about the true nature of UFOs, especially if top-secret devices were involved. He suggests that in such a situation, officials might release carefully selected information to satisfy the public without revealing secrets. Biddle emphasizes the need for caution and a non-dogmatic approach to conclusions, comparing piecing together UFO evidence to assembling a jigsaw puzzle with many missing pieces. He also touches upon other mysterious phenomena, such as unexplained disappearances of beings, ships, and planes, cautioning against automatically attributing them to UFOs.

Children's Day at Casa Blanca - A Strange Story - Etheric Entities?

This section reprints an account from CLIPS, QUOTES & COMMENTS (B.S.R.A.) detailing an incident that occurred around 3:15 p.m. on August 22nd, 1955, in Casa Blanca, USA. The report is presented as a response to those who might dismiss it as group hysteria. It begins with a note from Associate Winona Cromwell of Hemet, California, who states that two club members, Mrs. Jean Rowland (an artist) and Mrs. Mary Starbuck (a publicist), investigated the account after reading it in the Riverside Enterprise. Cromwell vouches for their truthfulness.

The informal report by Mesdames Rowland and Starbuck describes their cordial reception by Mr. and Mrs. Douglas, parents of Kermit, one of the boys involved. They interviewed about eight children, aged four to fifteen, who were eager to share their experiences. The children's story begins with Kermit and another boy wrestling on a lawn when Kermit saw an object (Illustration 1) in the air. As they watched, it disappeared and a second object (Illustration 2) appeared. This object spun as it hovered, and lines radiated from it. Soon, other children saw similar objects in various colors, mostly silver. The objects were described as semi-transparent and would continually appear and disappear, accompanied by a high musical "PING" sound. When children went to call their parents, the ships vanished.

Initially, the children enjoyed the sightings, but they became frightened over time. One ship was seen to land in a vacant field nearby; it was described as beautiful and colorful. Two boys became aware of something by the house next door and saw a transparent Being (Illustration 5) through which the wall was visible. The Being had a disc on its belt that shone like a mirror. The children also spoke of bright objects on the ships (Illustration 3) that seemed to send out a ray, and the entity's face had four sparkling, diamond-like objects. The disc hovered and did not touch the ground. A seven-year-old boy approached the landed ship, calling it beautiful, and had to be restrained by older boys. Another boy saw an ARM suspended in the air, beckoning to him (Illustration 7). These beings were about the height of a four-year-old, with arms the size of a child's. A figure in Illustration 6, appearing more solid and wearing satin-like clothing, told a boy to climb a nearby tree, promising they would pick him up in 15 minutes. The boy and another climbed the tree, and despite pleas from other children, they remained until the garden hose was used to make them descend.

Another incident involved a boy climbing onto a roof to see if a craft had landed. He started to climb down a tree but instead walked off the edge of the roof, landing on his head without apparent injury or memory of falling. After this, a craft circled and disappeared. The children remained frightened.

Note by Meade Layne: Meade Layne adds a note commenting on the entities' apparent power of levitation, not only of themselves and objects but also of human beings. He references the "dubious Oliver Lerch case (1889)" and "mysterious disappearances" of ship crews, questioning how these operations are effected. He suggests that this ability to move persons and objects from earth to air, seen to unseen, is a science and art known to ancients, possibly derived from "Etherian colonizers." He speculates that this knowledge could explain the construction of pyramids and vast structures, and if recovered, could make the incredible commonplace in a "brave new world."

Layne acknowledges that metaphysical systems shouldn't be built solely on the tales of a dozen frightened children. However, he argues that the cumulative data from "Borderland regions of human experience" must be considered. He concludes that the extravagances of the UFO incursion are not impossible or entirely new to the informed occultist and metaphysician.

Illustrations 1-7 are included, depicting various shapes of discs, rays, entities, and objects described by the children.

Books

This section reviews Jimmy Guieu's book, "FLYING SAUCERS COME FROM ANOTHER WORLD," noting that its English translation is available. The reviewer, who admits to being biased due to a long friendship with J.G. (Jimmy Guieu), considers the book a "good book" and a "popular treatise." While acknowledging that some points could be criticized and certain incidents might be spurious in light of later developments, the reviewer believes these do not detract from the book's value in presenting evidence for the reality of flying saucers. The book discusses the 1908 Siberian "meteor" incident, theorizing it was a crashed spaceship rather than a natural phenomenon. The reviewer notes that the book's later chapters involve speculation that might seem far-fetched even to science-fiction fans but are not necessarily absurd.

The reviewer also praises Guieu's ability to blend factual UFO material with logically-derived fiction and vivid imagination. Guieu is identified as a keen researcher in France and Head of the Investigation Section of the "Commission Internationale d'Enquête 'Ouranos'" (C.I.E.O.). The C.I.E.O. is credited with doing valuable work in building scientific evidence to convince the French public about flying saucers.

The reviewer strongly urges readers to buy a copy of the book for reference, rather than just borrowing it.

From our Mail Bag

This section comments on "Courrier Interplanétaire," published by Friend Nahon. While noting that Nahon has had some less successful publications, his "Courrier Interplanétaire" is still considered full of interest. The editor expresses dismay over the change in format to newspaper size, lamenting that much of its content, which many would like to preserve, might be lost to posterity due to this "extraordinary format."

Current Flying Saucer Literature Available

This section lists available literature on flying saucers, though the specific titles and prices are not detailed in the provided scan.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the UFO phenomenon, skepticism towards official explanations, the potential for unconventional theories (like the "4-D" concept), and the importance of witness testimony, particularly from children. The editorial stance is one of critical inquiry, urging caution and open-mindedness rather than dogmatism. There's a clear interest in presenting detailed accounts of sightings and analyzing them through various theoretical lenses, while also acknowledging the limitations of current knowledge and the potential for misinterpretation or deliberate obfuscation by authorities. The review of Jimmy Guieu's book highlights a preference for well-researched and thoughtfully presented material that supports the reality of the flying saucer phenomenon.

This issue of URANUS, dated December 1955, is a collection of book reviews and reader correspondence focused on topics such as prophecy, cataclysm, science fiction, and flying saucers.

Book Reviews

CATACLYSM HAS BEGUN by J.J. Williamson

The review of J.J. Williamson's "Cataclysm Has Begun" highlights its subject matter: an approaching disaster to the planet, which the author claims is based on "exact calculations" rather than prophecy. The book suggests only a few people can be saved and mentions the "Society of Metaphysicians" and their plan "Sub-Group X" for an isolated community to ensure safety from atomic war. The reviewer questions the unselfishness of the society's stated goal and notes that many prophecies, including specific dates, have failed to materialize. The review also touches on the book's assertion that nuclear weapons are causing weather changes, emotional instability, and economic decline. An appendix lists freak weather occurrences. The reviewer, D. Wightman, concludes that the book might do some good if not taken too seriously and believes the author and his society have good intentions.

CHILDREN OF THE VOID by William Dexter

This review describes William Dexter's "Children of the Void" as a science-fiction story that is "out of the usual run." It is a sequel to "World in Eclipse" and depicts a colony of humans surviving a cataclysm on Earth, now on a runaway world, encountering "strange entities" and "the Beast Men." The reviewer, E. Biddle, recommends the book for its adventure and for offering something more than a typical science-fiction tale.

THE NEW WORLD CIVILISATION by Vera Stanley Alder

E. Biddle reviews Vera Stanley Alder's "The New World Civilisation," a slender volume that explores modern civilization's direction. The review quotes Lucien Duplessy's "La Machine ou l'Homme" on civilization realizing the myth of giving man the empire of the world in exchange for his soul. The reviewer suggests the book is worth reading if one has doubts about civilization's path. However, Biddle criticizes the essay for the "weird illusion" that animals began to prey on each other only after humans appeared, suggesting a glance at geology or a visit to a natural history museum would dispel this.

INSIDE THE SPACE SHIPS by George Adamski

This review of George Adamski's second book, "Inside the Space Ships," questions whether it should be treated as science fiction, suggesting the author might not approve. The reviewer, E. Biddle, posits that Adamski is promoting a "pseudo-religion" and that his story, while cleverly done, may or may not be true. The review contrasts Adamski's emotional approach with the matter-of-fact style of Allingham's "Martian" story. It describes the book's narrative of an "Elder Brother" from Venus communicating with Adamski. Adamski's success is noted, with his followers described as devotees of a "new cult" who are often impervious to criticism and fanatical. The reviewer believes Adamski's work brings the subject of UFOs into disrepute, doing a greater disservice than scoffers.

MARS ALLER-RETOUR by F.L. Neher

Translated from the German "Menschen zwischen den Planeten," this book is reviewed by E. Biddle. Written with "characteristic German thoroughness," it is based on notes from Prof. Wernher von Braun, who guarantees its scientific accuracy. The story details the first human expedition to Mars, including technical information and the psychological effects on the crew. The review emphasizes its "stark realism" over romantic glamour, noting the explorers' primary concern is returning to Earth. The discovery of traces of a dead Martian civilization leaves "unsolved riddles." Biddle strongly recommends it for readers who prefer "likely fact" over "imaginative and improbable fantasy," comparing it to Arthur Clarke's writings.

From Our Mail Bag

Letter from D. Wightman

Mr. D. Wightman, Chairman of the Wigan and District F.S. Club, writes to publicize information about a "Flying Saucer" sighting over the British Isles. He states there are only two possible explanations: the object was earth-made and intelligently controlled, or it originated from outside Earth's atmosphere. He has contacted the Air Ministry, which requested more details. Wightman has provided the information, omitting the witness's identity and location for privacy. He expresses disapproval of the authorities' reluctance to publish investigation details and urges that the public be informed of the "TRUE opinion of the powers that be regarding the mystery of the Flying Saucers."

Letter from A.R. Brimer

A Liverpool reader, A.R. Brimer, expresses concern about the "ever-increasing amount of rubbish" being propagated in the name of saucer research. He describes many claims as "psychopathic" and states that the wilder and more ludicrous the claim, the more acclaim it receives, with "chicanery" treated as "Holy Writ" by "saucer cultists." Brimer believes this trend leads to the conclusion that all flying saucer researchers are mentally unbalanced and will drive serious students away. He advocates for spiritualistic matters to remain in séance rooms and for UFO research to be freed from "mediumistic hands" and pursued in a "sane and forthright manner."

Editorial Note on Brimer's Letter

The editor (Ed.) acknowledges some sympathy with Mr. Brimer's view but finds his condemnations "too wholesale." The editor notes that serious books and articles exist on the subject and that in a "baffling mystery," it is risky to be "too sure where the possible ends and the ludicrous begins." The editor also suggests that not all séance rooms are "overheated or exotic" and that psychic research is becoming more respectable.

Current Flying Saucer Literature Available

This section lists available books and journals from Markham House Press Ltd., including titles published in English and French, with prices in shillings and pence, and US dollars.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue reflects a critical yet engaged stance on the UFO phenomenon. While acknowledging the existence of serious research and compelling narratives (like "Mars Aller-Retour"), there is a strong undercurrent of skepticism towards sensationalism, pseudo-religion, and unsubstantiated claims, particularly those associated with George Adamski and the broader "saucer cultists." The magazine appears to advocate for a more rational, evidence-based approach to UFO research, separating it from spiritualism and sensationalism. The inclusion of reader letters and a mail bag section indicates an editorial policy that values reader contributions and diverse perspectives, even when those perspectives are critical of the subject matter itself or the way it is presented.