Life, 1897-01-28 · page 9 of 20
Life — January 28, 1897 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 71 This page contains a satirical illustration titled "Her Thought" depicting what appears to be a social gathering. The accompanying text discusses Secretary Olney and Sir Julian Pauncefote signing names to a treaty addressing disputes between the United States and Great Britain. The satire concerns an arbitration treaty meant to prevent war. The text expresses cautious optimism that the treaty will pass Senate confirmation, though it acknowledges skepticism and anticipated criticism. References to Mr. Piatt and Senator Sherman suggest internal American political divisions over the agreement. The illustration likely satirizes upper-class social attitudes toward this serious diplomatic matter, contrasting frivolous socializing with weighty international negotiations—a typical Life magazine approach to exposing political hypocrisy or detachment among elites.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“on, NO; HER THOUGHT. ACH day his roses as surprises Come. If he knew, the stupid thing, That in two months at present prices He'd save enough to buy a ring! ECRETARY OLNEY and Sir Julian Pauncefote having signed their names to a treaty which provides for the arbitration of difficult disputes between this country and Great Britain, the Senate has begun to try and make up its mind whether to make the treaty operative by confirming it. It has still about five months in which to reach a conclusion, and will undoubtedly sift and discuss the treaty with great thor- THAT'S EMOTION, “Is HE REALLY SO DISSIPATED?" Last oughness before it agrees to it. The treaty does not make between us and the British impossible, but by providing mac’ ery for the settlement of all ordinary differ- ences it promises to be a great hindrance to war scares. We don't like war scares a bit, neither do the British; consequently the idea of an arbitration treaty is immensely popular, and fervent hopes are very generally expressed that this one will go through. Never- theless, it meets with some intelligent criticism, and is doubtless imperfect, like all other human documents. We must be patient while the Senators pick holes in it, and if they reject it for reasons apparently good we must bear it. But we all hope war NIGHT WHEN HE CALLED ON ME { FELT HIS ARM SHAKE.” they won't, Scrupulous care in the considera- tion of such a matter is proper, but h. splitting isn't. Give the treaty a fair show, grave Senators. We shall have plenty of good scraps at home during the next five years, and can well afford to reduce our chances of quarreling with England, R. PLATT and Senator Sherman are understood to cherish sentiments of distinguished mutual dislike. Senator Sher- man is to be the new Secretary of State, and Mr. Platt is going to the Senate. Unscrupu- lous lovers of sport think that Mr, Platt will be disposed to have fun with the new Secretary, and anticipate developments with unholy glee.