#5 — “Sirs: I have read EVERY issue of AMAZING STORIES, since the middle of 1945. I have enjoyed the magazine very much, however, I think you publish too much bunk which you try to pass off as absolute truth.
“In your December 1947, issue you had a letter from a Mr. Marcial P. Star, of Lima, Peru. It seems that Senor Star is calling several of your authors ‘liars.’ I thought I might be able to shed some light on the controversy.
“Please understand: I am not interested in anyone’s opinions, I am only interested in facts.
“I do not care to attest to the veracity of the statements of Messrs. Gaddis, Kaye, Hansen, etc. Nor do I wish to be interpreted that I am trying to make a ‘liar’ out of Senor Star.
However, I believe that I may be able to offer information that you do not seem to have available.
“I forgot just which tunnels Mr. Gaddis was referring to, however, in all fairness to Mr. Gaddis, and to keep Senor Star’s statement from being taken in the wrong light, I feel compelled to make the statement that THERE ARE CAVES IN PERU -– IN FACT, THERE IS EXCELLENT REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE ALSO TUNNELS IN PERU!
“Senor Star makes the affirmation that the Peruvian government has ‘never’ looked for said tunnels. I do not know whether they have or not. I do know, though, that the government does know they are in existence. I, too, have heard of the ‘falling stones.’
However, these sounds were heard in the vicinity of Cuzco! These caves — or, ‘tunnels’ — are known to be in existence, the entrance of one is located on a hill about a quarter of a mile from Cuzco.
“A number of years ago the government sealed up the entrance to this cave after several persons had become lost after entering it. There are said to be several exits, of which at least one is supposed to be under the ‘church’ in Cuzco. It is said that the Incas used (these) tunnels to hide gold in while the Spaniards were searching for said gold… At least one expedition has entered this tunnel in search of the fabled gold. I believe that they had no luck what so ever.
“In proof of my assertions, I offer the following: ‘Treasure and Treasure Hunting,’ and other books by Harold T. Wilkins; ‘Caves and Treasures in Latin America’ (I’ve forgotten the author’s name).
“At the time that I first heard of these caves I wrote to the Peruvian embassy in Washington, and to the American Geological Society, both of these sources informed me that such caves DO exist.
“I have a list of books on the subject, none of which I have bothered to read. However, if there is still any doubt as to the existence of these caves I’ll be glad to write an article for AMAZING STORIES covering this subject.
“I’ll quote ONLY irrefutable evidence.
As I said before, I am not interested in opinions -– I WANT FACTS!
I BELIEVE THAT I CAN OFFER PROOF.
Is ANYBODY INTERESTED?
“— Joseph R. Rhoden, Jr., 1244 North Dearborn St., Chicago 10, Ill.
(Well, that ought to prove something! At least, we can definitely say that Shaver-type caves do exist in Peru — that is, caves and tunnels built by an ancient race. – Ed.)” [Raymond A. Palmer., or, “R.A.P.”]
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