The article below was published in the daily newspaper Le Télégramme de Brest et de l'Ouest, Brest, France, page 5, on September 29, 1954.
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Flying saucers and other unidentified flying objects are more topical than ever! Michèle Morgan herself joins the already long list of "those who have seen something!"
Nowadays, when night falls, everyone scans the sky in the hope of spotting one of these famous saucers. At the same time, deep down, we all secretly wish to see one land at our feet, so we can immediately jump at the throat of one of the passengers and claim the 10 million offered for the capture.
But must the passenger in question be a Martian to be eligible for this generous reward? This is the question raised with Mr. Rouaud, our colleague from Quimperlé, by a potential saucer-hunter.
To reassure this reader of the "Télégramme," we went to Locronan to obtain information directly from the source.
The generous donor in question is Mr. Pré, the very friendly owner of the famous "Vieil Hôtel de St-Ronan," one of the jewels of the ancient town of Locronan.
We approach him in these terms:
– We come to announce the capture of a Martian!
But "it" doesn't work! Mr. Pré bursts out laughing! We are not, in fact, the first to bring him such news! But he is still waiting for someone to actually deliver the requested "Martian!"
– Does it absolutely have to be a resident of the planet Mars? we then ask.
– Not necessarily, replies Mr. Pré. As long as they come from a planet other than Earth and are a passenger of a flying saucer — those are the only conditions required to be eligible for the 10 million offered!
So, whoever has a Neptunian, a Saturnian, or even a simple Lunarian on hand, bring them to Locronan! And the 10 million is yours! But hurry, as there are many candidates for the reward!
Starting with a group of sailors from Douarnenez who sent Mr. Pré, through one of their own, the following note:
"I read the announcement in the "Télégramme." I can get you what you're looking for.
"I can get you a fine... living porpoise. Transporting it to Locronan is rather tricky, but it can be done!
"But will we receive the reward, which seems very large?" they ask.
Another letter reached Mr. Pré, this time from Le Havre.
A resident of that city claims he has a Martian. Here is how he puts it:
"In response to your announcement, I am pleased to inform you that I have a Martian, whom I have nicknamed "Godefroy de Bouillon" because he's always cold and survives solely on broth (sic) [untranslatable puns]. I've had him since September 4, 1954.
"I think we can strike a deal, but your price offer doesn't suit me, as I've already spent a certain amount civilizing him, and the progress has been very promising. Every day, he teaches me extraordinary things that are worth more than 10 million."
Michèle Morgan isn't the only one in Paris who has seen a saucer. These few lines, sent from the capital to Mr. Pré, are further proof!
"While opening a crate of tea from Darjeeling, a province near Tibet, we discovered, carefully wrapped in shiny and radioactive bandages, a strange "Thing," which we had unwrapped by a scientist from the Institute, assisted by his aides. During this very meticulous operation, a small bizarre creature — hairy, with 4 hands, 6 feet, and 1 eye — spoke to us in an untranslatable language.
"Not understanding a word, we immediately gave it a cup of pure Ceylon tea from our house. The "Thing" then began to dance a wild sarabande to express its joy. At that very moment, a flying saucer, completely silent, landed in the courtyard. The "Thing," which we are now all convinced was a first-rank Martian, leapt into the saucer, which disappeared into the sky with three successive leaps, surrounded by a rainbow-colored burst of fire, in which we all clearly read: "I'm going to Locronan."
Alas! The poor saucer must have gotten lost on the way with its little Martian.
Unless it decided to frolic along the way!
We're still waiting to see it land one evening on the square of Locronan.
R. L.
