The article below was published in the daily newspaper Combat, Paris, France, page 10, on October 6, 1954.
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NAIROBI, October 5. -- Visitors from another world are observing the Earth and are likely mapping it. Lately, they have turned their attention to East Africa. These are the claims of one of the region's leading astronomers, Mr. Duncan Fletcher, Vice President of the Kenya Astronomical Association.
He made this astonishing suggestion following a flood of reports from many Europeans, Asians, and Africans who all stated they had seen strange objects in the sky.
The first saucers were reported in Dar es Salaam, the capital of Tanganyika, and shortly afterward others were seen in Mombasa, Kampala, and Nairobi.
Mr. Fletcher himself recently observed an object flying over Nairobi. He was in his well-equipped observatory with four friends.
– "It was 7:40 p.m.," he said, "when a large glow appeared low in the east, unrelated to astronomy or any of the planes that had just landed at the airport."
The object was about 700 meters in altitude and was stationary when Mr. Fletcher and his four friends saw it. It emitted a bright orange glow. This glow intensified to pale yellow and the object ascended, descended, then rose again before finally disappearing into the clouds.
Mr. Fletcher states that in his opinion, saucer sightings can no longer be doubted and come from "highly experienced observers from all around the globe."
All the English and American witnesses who saw these unidentified flying objects were not hallucinating, he says.
The most encouraging aspect of the matter, according to Mr. Fletcher, is that the unidentified flying objects (UFOs, as they are officially called in Kenya) do not appear to be piloted by beings with hostile intentions toward the inhabitants of our planet.
– "Based on all available information," adds Mr. Fletcher, "the occupants of the saucers are mapping the entire surface of the Earth."
Citing in support of his theory the opinions of Dr. F. Foyle, astrophysics professor at Cambridge, and Sir James Jeans, Dr. Fletcher states that countless reasons support the existence of many planets capable of sustaining life. This life would likely differ greatly from the life we know on Earth.
– "It is possible," he says, "that while oxygen and other elements are necessary for us, very different elements may be required for life on other planets. Life forms on other planets could be very different from anything we can imagine."
Are the beings visiting Earth tall or short? Do they have blood in their veins? Do they even have veins? These are questions that will only be answered when these beings choose to make contact with humans, says Mr. Fletcher.
He adds that it may be a simple coincidence, but he points out that these beings from another world have taken an interest in earthly activities since the first atomic explosion — about seven years ago.
There seems to be no doubt, continues Mr. Fletcher, that these beings are far ahead of us in propulsion methods, and observers have reported unidentified objects flying over atomic plants, shipyards, naval bases, and some of the world's largest cities. I believe they are approaching us the same way we would if we were in their place. Suppose we were visiting Venus.
I don't think we would land until we had conducted all possible observations. Obviously, we would draw maps, take photographs if possible, and conduct a thorough examination before recklessly risking lives by landing too soon. So, it's not unreasonable to think that those piloting the flying objects are acting in exactly this way.
Mr. Fletcher is convinced that these "objects" come from interplanetary space and cannot be meteors, which burn up due to air friction when drawn by gravity.
A meteor, he says, does not rise and does not hover. Its trajectory is parabolic, like that of a shell. So, unidentified flying objects have indeed been seen.
Mr. Fletcher does not claim to know how the "objects" work, what they contain, or where they come from, but he offers this advice:
Vigilance and a friendly attitude toward their initiatives seem to be the best policy.
But the scientific debate continues over the mysterious phenomenon of "flying saucers." Barely had Mr. Fletcher — one of the few astronomers to observe an "unidentified craft" — proposed a sensational hypothesis, when, from Bonn, comes the opinion of a university professor, Mr. Meur, who during a public lecture firmly declared:
"The book by the American author Keyhoe about flying saucers is devoid of any scientific value and is not worth the paper it's printed on."
"Flying saucer hysteria is a sign of our times, a reflection of metaphysical curiosity seeking to solve serious problems outside of religious frameworks," he concluded. "Hoping that salvation will come from the universe is contrary not only to Christian truths but also to human dignity."
While scientists debate, a wide variety of observers are reporting the appearance of oddly shaped objects flying across the skies of France and the world.
For example, a taxi driver saw a glowing disc west of Deauville. In Le Puy, a camper saw a luminous object equipped with a spotlight.
In Ablain-Saint-Nazaire, near Lens, two people observed a pot-shaped craft. On the road from Montereaux-Villebois-Lavalette (Charente), a motorcyclist saw a kind of large barrel that immediately disappeared, leaving traces about 7 meters long on the roadside. In Clermont-Ferrand, several people observed a star-shaped luminous point that changed color. In Nîmes, a flying saucer was also seen, as well as above Jutland.
Several Parisians said they saw flying saucers yesterday afternoon over the capital. Passersby claimed to have seen one around 4:30 p.m. near Porte Dorée.
Mr. Pierre Allouis, a cardboard sales representative, was on his way to a meeting in a taxi when the vehicle stopped at a red light. Hearing a shrill whistle, he looked out the window and saw a flying craft rising rapidly, leaving a trail of smoke. It was a disc larger than a normal airplane and silver in color.
The same account was given by Mr. Gilbert Bacon, living at 25, Faubourg Saint-Antoine, and by Mr. Paul Julien, a house painter living at 3, Rue de la Pompe. The latter, however, thought it was not a saucer but a flying wing shaped like a triangle with rounded edges.
At Le Bourget, it was explained that due to heavy air traffic, it is impossible to confirm the object's passage by radar without a more precise time.
