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Science Fiction Weekly, v. 2, issue 2, May 26, 1940
Page 9
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page nine ON THE IMAGINOT LINE LATEST NEWS FROM ENGLAND is that the new dictatorship has banned any new publications from being started. At first, this may not seem of significant to science-fiction -- we have known for some time that the projected new stf monthly would not appear. But it is highly significant -- for what it means is that the reprinting of American magazines may cease -- at least as far as the reprinting of titles not hitherto published regularly in England. It will probably cover the other reprints a s well, in time. We have had nine months of war, three-quarters of a year, in which to judge the effects of war upon science fiction. When the war first broke out, several fans made various prophecies in regard to it. The fan magazine, Science Fiction Progress, stated that the war's effect would ultimately be disastrous. This seems to have hit closest to the mark, judging by events. The first casualty of the war was the new French science - fiction wekkly, Conquetes, killed in the very bud. Its editor is now with the French army, though how he has fared since May 19th, only time will tell. In Great Britain the effects of war upon a full-sized sample of a science fiction world are now clear. At first, the effect was to slow down publication dates of the two pro magazines. Next, the editor of Fantasy was called up, and that magazine ceased publication entirely. Tales of Wonder cut down its size but saw two more issues. At latest reports, it will not appear again, and is finally dead. Next, there were reporter of a brand new title to appear monthly -- taking advantage of the need for [oscape?] reading. This project fizzled out. Britain had always relied upon a large supply of American stf magazines, back numbers and overstocks. This was cut off promptly due to the risks of shipping. American magazines felt the loss slightly -- it did not matter to o much to most of them, but the los of Weird Tales' English circulation did hit that magazine hard, with consequent difficulties, British fandom, of course felt it keenly. The supply of paper in England dropped and the prices roses. Fan magazines either folded up, lengthened the period between issues, or else cut down their number of pages. The Science Fiction Association, one of the most powerful of all stf clubs suspended for the duration of the war. In London, the Flat, hq for fan activity, folded. Science Fiction Service found itself hampered severely. Due to war difficulties, plus the hounding of its editor, The Futurian shifted from printing to mimeograph, and from regular publication to catch-as-catch can. Fans were, for the most part, of conscription age. Many fans found themselves in active service -- among them, Maurice K. Hanson, former editor of Novao Torrao, and James Rathbone, of Masabro. Others were saddled with A.R.P duty, or other typos of war work; such fans as C. Samuel Youd, Jr., Harold Gottliffe, etc., were caught by this. J. Michael Rosenblum, taking a firm anti-war stand, was hounded and threatened by the war government from Leeds to London. The effect of the events of the past month has not yet been learned. The war in Norway, and the beinning of "total warfare" on May 10th, have changed the situation for the worse. We have had no word of just what has happened now. But we cannot fail to assume that the result will be completely disastrous to whatever remained of fan-publishing. In Canada, the war has had some slight effect. For example: the stf comic Superman was banned for stepping on Fuhror Churchill's toes. In Australia, all stf magazines have been banned and may not be imported or reprinted. What will happen to our overseas stf friends as a result of this insane, criminal war cannot be accurately predicted. There can only be certainty, as many of them have expressed in personal letters, that the ideal of science-fiction, with its faith in a sane future for mankind, through science, will help carry them through the present hall, out to a better, braver world. NOTE Thrilling, Astonishing, Astounding, Snide, Will be at the Chicon in all their pride. page nine
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page nine ON THE IMAGINOT LINE LATEST NEWS FROM ENGLAND is that the new dictatorship has banned any new publications from being started. At first, this may not seem of significant to science-fiction -- we have known for some time that the projected new stf monthly would not appear. But it is highly significant -- for what it means is that the reprinting of American magazines may cease -- at least as far as the reprinting of titles not hitherto published regularly in England. It will probably cover the other reprints a s well, in time. We have had nine months of war, three-quarters of a year, in which to judge the effects of war upon science fiction. When the war first broke out, several fans made various prophecies in regard to it. The fan magazine, Science Fiction Progress, stated that the war's effect would ultimately be disastrous. This seems to have hit closest to the mark, judging by events. The first casualty of the war was the new French science - fiction wekkly, Conquetes, killed in the very bud. Its editor is now with the French army, though how he has fared since May 19th, only time will tell. In Great Britain the effects of war upon a full-sized sample of a science fiction world are now clear. At first, the effect was to slow down publication dates of the two pro magazines. Next, the editor of Fantasy was called up, and that magazine ceased publication entirely. Tales of Wonder cut down its size but saw two more issues. At latest reports, it will not appear again, and is finally dead. Next, there were reporter of a brand new title to appear monthly -- taking advantage of the need for [oscape?] reading. This project fizzled out. Britain had always relied upon a large supply of American stf magazines, back numbers and overstocks. This was cut off promptly due to the risks of shipping. American magazines felt the loss slightly -- it did not matter to o much to most of them, but the los of Weird Tales' English circulation did hit that magazine hard, with consequent difficulties, British fandom, of course felt it keenly. The supply of paper in England dropped and the prices roses. Fan magazines either folded up, lengthened the period between issues, or else cut down their number of pages. The Science Fiction Association, one of the most powerful of all stf clubs suspended for the duration of the war. In London, the Flat, hq for fan activity, folded. Science Fiction Service found itself hampered severely. Due to war difficulties, plus the hounding of its editor, The Futurian shifted from printing to mimeograph, and from regular publication to catch-as-catch can. Fans were, for the most part, of conscription age. Many fans found themselves in active service -- among them, Maurice K. Hanson, former editor of Novao Torrao, and James Rathbone, of Masabro. Others were saddled with A.R.P duty, or other typos of war work; such fans as C. Samuel Youd, Jr., Harold Gottliffe, etc., were caught by this. J. Michael Rosenblum, taking a firm anti-war stand, was hounded and threatened by the war government from Leeds to London. The effect of the events of the past month has not yet been learned. The war in Norway, and the beinning of "total warfare" on May 10th, have changed the situation for the worse. We have had no word of just what has happened now. But we cannot fail to assume that the result will be completely disastrous to whatever remained of fan-publishing. In Canada, the war has had some slight effect. For example: the stf comic Superman was banned for stepping on Fuhror Churchill's toes. In Australia, all stf magazines have been banned and may not be imported or reprinted. What will happen to our overseas stf friends as a result of this insane, criminal war cannot be accurately predicted. There can only be certainty, as many of them have expressed in personal letters, that the ideal of science-fiction, with its faith in a sane future for mankind, through science, will help carry them through the present hall, out to a better, braver world. NOTE Thrilling, Astonishing, Astounding, Snide, Will be at the Chicon in all their pride. page nine
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