A wireless dramatisation of Mr. H. G. Wells╒s fantasy, ╥The War of the Worlds╙ ╤ a work that was written at the end of last century ╤ caused a remarkable wave of panic in the United States during and immediately after its broadcast last night at eight o╒clock. Listeners throughout the country believed that it was an account of an actual invasion of the earth by warriors from Mars. The play, presented by Mr. Orson Welles, a successful theatrical producer and actor, gave a vivid account of the Martian invasion just as the wireless would if Mr. Wells╒s dream came true.
The programme began with music by a New York City hotel dance band, which was interrupted suddenly by a Columbia news announcer who reported that violent flashes on Mars had been observed by Princeton University astronomers. The music was resumed, but was soon interrupted again for a report that a meteor had struck new Jersey. Then there was an account of how the meteor opened and Martian warriors emerged and began killing local citizens with mysterious death-rays. Martians were also observed moving towards New York with the intention of destroying the city.
Many people tuning in to the middle of the broadcast jumped to the conclusion that there was a real invasion. Thousands of telephone calls poured into the wireless station and police headquarters. Residents of New Jersey covered their faces with wet cloths as a protection against poisonous gases and fled from their homes carrying with them their most valuable possessions. Roads leading to a village where a Martian ship was supposed to have landed were jammed with motorists prepared to repel attackers.
FEDERAL INQUIRY
A wireless audience of the entire nation was fooled to a considerable extent in spite of repeated announcements during the broadcast that the drama was purely fictional. The Federal Communications Commission has begun an inquiry into the broadcast with a view to preventing the repetition of such a terrifying event. A senator from Iowa said to-day that he has prepared a bill for the next session of Congress with the same purpose.
