Life, 1901-01-24 · page 9 of 20
Life — January 24, 1901 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 69 This page satirizes British military incompetence during the Boer War. The main text critiques the War Department's failure to equip soldiers with proper guides and compasses, leading to disastrous misdirected charges. The Boers, the text argues, deliberately retreated to provoke these blunders rather than facing direct British confrontation. The cartoons mock various incompetencies: "The Scheme of a Wicked Editor" depicts editorial manipulation, while another shows domestic chaos. A third cartoon (captioned about "Mrs. Hen") appears to satirize maternal foolishness. The passage concludes with a quote attributed to "Rudyard Davis Speedsman" (likely a satirical pseudonym), discussing political machinations around the election and Winston Churchill's admission of ignorance about military affairs, reinforcing the theme of leadership bungling.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
*LIPE* 69 The history of the subject of this masterptece 1s quite well known. He was, along with every other Irishman, formerly & king tn Ireland. Un being deposed he fed to America, and eatablished @ grand duchy on Manhattan Island—and led the great Vice-Crusaders of the year 1900 His ttle, after the establishment of the Firat Empire, was Richard the First, Earl of Manhattan, sometime called Richard the Balldog-Hearted. "The animal seen in the picture 1a probably cheetah or leopard, used by the nobles of Manhattan for bunting. Mrs. Hen; e's AwrenLy common! witty, iis MOTH WAS A SECOND-HAND $2.98 INCURATOR. They say so; and are the words of Boers to come before those of officers and gentlemen? Analyze the conditions. All admit the Hussars charged as fearlessly and boldly as British tailors. It is simply a question of direction ; that is all. The War Department fatally neglected to supply our heroes with guides and compasses, and all directions look alike on the veldt. The Boers were hiding, concealed, to bring shame on the gallant fellows. They could not see them, and charged in the wrong direction. This is the whole question ina nutshell. Instead of charging at the Boers, they charged away from them. Are they to blame? Certainly not. The Boers should have exhibited them- selves, if they desired to face a British charge. They dared not. Go, gentlemen, to the British public fearlessly, and everybody will be vindicated.” The Cabinet gave three cheers for Squeelman, and ordered the election ; and you know the rest. I understand Winston Churchill is inclined to discredit my influence in reaping victory for the Tories ; but question him when he arrives with Major Pond, and he will weakly admit that he knows nothing about the affair. This is the secret of Salisbury's victory; it has never been told before. Rudyard Davis Squeetman. COW BLL, my dear, what did you seo in Enrope 2” “See! We had no time for details, We saw only Europe.”