The article below was published in the daily newspaper Combat, Paris, France, page 10, on September 2, 1954.
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MELBOURNE, September 1. -- The flying saucer investigation commission, created by ten residents of Melbourne (a banker, a journalist, four mechanics, two office workers, and two engineers), ALMOST ALL MEMBERS OF THE ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, have come, after a year of investigation, to the conclusion that flying saucers "HAVE AN OBJECTIVE EXISTENCE." Needless to say, we leave full responsibility for this statement to this "private" commission, which adds in its detailed report: "Flying saucers are real objects and not optical illusions."
The ten interviewed 55 people who claimed to have seen saucers, and here is their breakdown: four "flying objects" were meteors; one was a balloon, another a tuft of grass carried by the wind, two were jet planes, and 47 other sightings could not be explained.
The commission's spokesperson specified that the 47 unexplained sightings were divided into four groups:
1. Six bright objects shaped like cigars, seen at night and in motion.
2. Fifteen saucers or discs spinning on themselves and seen in groups of two. Witnesses who saw these discs at low altitude said the upper part seemed to rotate. These craft had portholes and small spherical wheels placed underneath, like landing gear.
3. Six bright luminous spots crossing the sky, hovering motionless for a minute or two, appearing and disappearing just as suddenly.
4. Twenty sightings of small bright objects, first motionless then speeding away. In full daylight, their surface shone in the sun like polished metal.
The commission's report states notably:
"It is much easier to say that these objects do not exist than to say what they are. It is encouraging to note that recently, authorities are considering the matter much more seriously. The commission is convinced that these objects have an objective existence. They have been seen in too many places far apart, at too many different times, and by too many sane and credible witnesses to deny their existence."
According to the commission, none of the theories proposed so far provides a generally satisfactory explanation for the nature and origin of the saucers. Pending indisputable proof of their existence, one must keep an open mind and impartial attitude. Solving the mystery requires further intensified and meticulous research.
Mr. R. Abbey, a distinguished physicist at the University of Melbourne, stated that it was curious that so few objects are reported, given the many possibilities offered by planes, balloons, meteors, light reflections, headlights, and other lights.
"In fact," he said, "flying saucers do exist, they have been seen, but they are not what people think they saw. It is strange that astronomers, who spend so many hours scanning the sky, do not see saucers. They are usually spotted by only one or two people at a time."
Mr. Abbey added that the commission should be commended for not concluding that saucers are of extraterrestrial or supernatural origin.
"Nothing proves that saucers come from another planet. There is no sign of life on other planets. Most scientists agree on that. It is unfortunate that the commission does not include at least one scientist among its members."
LONDON, September 1. -- After the flying saucers, here come the flying feathers.
A resident of Rye (Sussex), Mr. W. L. Kitechener, claims to have seen yesterday two immense objects shaped like bird feathers slowly gliding through the sky.
"Then suddenly," he said, "I heard an engine noise, and the two objects vanished at great speed, zigzagging toward London."
