THE MAN IN MARS.

Gisborne Times, Volume LII, Issue 5463, 26 April 1920, Page 5

THE MAN IN MARS.

SUGGESTION ORIGINATED IN LONDON NEWSPAPER. STATEMENT BY MARCONI. (Received April 25. 11.5 p.m.) LISBON, April 24. Marconi, in an interview, said that a London newspaper was wholly responsible for the absurd suggestion regarding communication with Mars, which he did not consider worth contradicting. —A. and N.Z. Cable Assn.

MYSTERTOUS MESSAGES. PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE AT LABRADOR. New fields for speculations concerning the mysterious messages in regard to the wireless mystery are opened by a statement by Mr E : . T Fisk, manager of the Amalgamated Wireless (Australasia), Ltd., tlia-t several years ago be was told by a man who had been employed at an isolated wireless station on the coast oF Labrador that lie frequently rectaiy&cl strange signals consisting of three dots, winch, m our Morse Code, form the letter “S,” and that lr e was not able by any means to trace the cause or origin of those signals. This appears to he similar to the observations reported by Marconi. Discussing the probable significance of these messages, Air Fisk said that in the absence of a systematic series of experiments and scientific research the cause of strange signals of that nature can only be a matter of the wildest speculation, and in the light of the recent discoveries in electrical science, and the experience of intangible things which one gains from a close, acquaintance with the practical side of wireless communication, one’s ideas might lie led into realms as unfamiliar and startling as those which S.r Arthur Oonan Doyle claims to have explored. Coming down to the more practical suggestion made by Marconi that tile effects are due to natural electric disturbances, such as eruptions on the sun ; that, if true, would demonstrate vividly the remarkable sensitiveness of wireless receiving apparatus to-day, shicc it* would mean that our apparatus is able to detect electrical waves propagated across a distance of ninety million miles. This possibly would in itself prove to be an extremely valuable aid to science, since there is no doubt that our apparatus could be used by scientists for graining a wider knowledge of solar conditions and a better understanding of their effects upon the meteorological and magnetic conditions of the earth.

With reference to the possibility of communication from other spheres, Mr Fisk said that Marconi summed up the pos tion clearly by stating that lie did not rule it out-, but that there is no proof. However, it would no doubt be extremely presumptuous on our part to assume that this little speck in the universe is the only point favored with life and intelligence, and if from this we assume the possibility of intelligent beings in other worlds, we could assume that the degree of intelligencein some of them at least, is equal to, if not greater than, ours. Supposing there is a sphere where Hie beings are more advanced than we, it would not be difficult to believe that their curiosity and desire for wider scientific knowledge would prompt them to, attempt to communicato with worlds other than our own.

This is not by any means a new speculation, but one that- has been put forward in various forms- on fiiany occasions, but the difficulty has always appeared to be that of some common language. In this it will be remembered that not long ago Alarconi’s fertile and practical mind suggested a solution, when in reply to a question on that subject he said, “that we have a universal language in mathematics, because- so far as we know, 2 and 2 make 4 throughout the cosmos, and to transmit signals* consisting of a repetition of dots and dashes- in simple numerical combination might -be the first step.” “Whatever these mysterious signals prove to be,” stated Air Fisk in conclusion, “whether the commencement of a tremendous discovery, as ■suggested by the Daily Mail, or even something very commonplace, the whole- thing shows the necessity for bvory encouragement being given to anvbodv and everybody who wishes to ‘ investigate this 1 wonderful science which is yet in its infancy, and, therefore, * no unnecessary obstacles should be placed in the way of development. The utmost freedom must be allowed to people who wish to use wireless apparatus, either for practical purposes, or for pure experiment. Its use should be as free-* as the use of motor cars on the road, and along similar lines. Anyone who wishes to drive a motor car is able to obtain a license, and is not interfered with 60 long as lie observes the miles of the road, and does not interfere with other users of the common highway,”