UFOs in the daily Press:

Are flying saucers interplanetary V2s?

What exactly are the famous "flying saucers" that are being talked about in news reports around the world? A new secret weapon or an illusion of the senses? - Or some gigantic "joke" invented to replace the Lochness [sic] monster in the columns of newspapers in need of sensation?

Two articles in the August issue of "Selection" attempt to elucidate the enigma.

One takes stock of the question. It draws up an impressive list of credible observations that all conclude that "flying saucers" are real. They are neither the creation of minds affected by war psychosis, nor machines invented by the Soviets. The speed of their moves and their ability to change direction instantly defy all the laws of human science. These can only be celestial bodies of an unknown type or projectiles sent from another planet.

Moreover, the second investigation published by "Selection" more or less corroborates these conclusions. Contrary to widespread opinion, the "flying saucers" are not new.

As early as 1870, the crew of a British three-masted ship had observed in the middle of the Atlantic, a few degrees of latitude above the equator, a curious light gray cloud of circular shape. In 1832, two million English people had seen a greenish spindle rapidly cross the horizon and, in April 1897, all the American newspapers had devoted their front page to the appearance of an enormous craft in the shape of a luminous cigar that did not seem to be driven by any propulsion force.

The "flying saucers" therefore are nothing new except for their name. The phenomenon itself has been observed many times over the past 80 years. But, worryingly, since 1947, its frequency has increased so much that some people wonder whether the Earth is about to be attacked by the inhabitants of another planet.

Anyone who wants to discuss this fascinating question would do well to read these two articles from "Selection". They will find scientific observations to support their hypotheses, not fanciful stories.

S. L.