MESSAGES FROM MARS(?)

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 11989, 28 January 1920, Page 4

MESSAGES FROM MARS(?)

REMARKABLE STATEMENT BY M iRCONI,

WIRELESS FROM OUT THE VAST

United Press Association—By Ele trie Telegraph—Copyright. ,

Received Jan 2S, 9 a. m United Service.

London, Jan 26 The Daily Mail gives .publicity to a remarkable statement made by Marconi. For some time past wireless operators day and night have been puzzled by interruptions, the signals taking the form of meaningless combinations of letters. The sounds are not confined to any country or continent and are heard, simultaneously in Loudon and New York. Marconi describes them as very queer sounds, which from the indications, might come from somewhere outside the earth. Some letters particularly occur with the greatest frequency, but in no case yet has any tiling been picked up that is translatable as a definite message. The combinations are of identical intensity, aud seem to emanate from the greatest distances. We have not the slightest proof of their origin and they are possibly due to natural electrical disturbances, such as eruptions in the sun.

Asked if it were possible that another planet is attempting to communicate with the earth, Marconi replied “I cannot rule out that possibility, but there is no proof. The strange sounds are not confined to any particular period, and are as frequent in the day as in the night. The phenomena were first noticed previous to the war, which suspended further investigation.

SOME POSSIBILITIES. The Daily Mail, discussing the sun theory in relation to Marconi’s statement, says it is difficult to see in that case why special letters should recur with special frequency. Regarding the other two possible sources, the Moon and Mars, the paper quotes Professor Soddy’s cabled, theory that the moon* is not dead. Professor Pickering caused extraordiuarj' interest in America by his recent announcement that he saw signs of life in the moon.

Discussing Professor Lowell’s and other theories in reference to the existence of life on Mars, the Mail asks: “Are we on ;tlie threshold of a most tremendous discovery by the human race, that somewhere in what has been thought of as a vast interminable emptiness of space, other beings exist. ’ ’