What It'd Be Like To Discover Intelligent Life on Mars

1920

FROM HOMES IN THE STARS

At midnight April 20, when Mars is approaching the nearest point to the earth, the wireless operators of the world are to listen for messages from the Martians.

When the day arrives on which word comes from the heavenly bodies that day will displace Armistice day as the greatest in all history.

Our earth is insignificant compared with some of the celestial bodies. There is no good reason presented in support of the contention that human intelligence exists on no planet other than earth. With active minds on Mars it is possible that for years the inhabitants have been signaling to us and have been puzzled at our stupidity in not catching the messages.

Mysterious wireless waves have been received of late, and scientists of the learning and practical experience of Marconi are hopeful that the messages are from out of space.

Now if, on April 21, there is positive information that Mars is talking to us, we shall await further disclosures with deepest interest.

The man of strong religious convictions will ask, first of all:

What do the Martians know of a Supreme Being? Has a Christ appeared to them?

The man of letters will inquire as to the literature of Mars.

The scientists will seek word as to the discoveries and researches.

Doctors will ask as to the physical structures, the ailments and cures.

And, if the people of Mars are 500 years ahead of us in civilization they will tell of things as strange and wonderful as wireless and electric lights, telephones and airplanes would have been to Christopher Columbus in 1492, when, landing on the shores of the West Indies, that daring navigator, 100 years in advance of his own time, thought he had reached the East Indies.

When Mars has spoken, then will come the call to other planets, and at night, when the stars shine out, each twinkle will be an eye wink from the worlds in the depths of the universe.

—The Ogden Standard-Examiner, Ogden City, Utah, April 10, 1920, p. 4.