Life, 1914-10-01 · page 43 of 48
Life — October 1, 1914 — page 43: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page combines satire about World War I with period advertising. The opening poem by Arthur Stanley Riggs satirizes American confusion about the war—readers cannot pronounce foreign commanders' names (Popoff, Czardas, Tirpitz, Jellicoe) or distinguish between different battles, making it difficult to understand or care about the conflict. "How to be a Strategist" humorously describes military staff officers' irregular, uncomfortable lives—called away at night, sleeping in forts with explosions, constantly relocating—while noting they're actually safer than frontline troops. The advertisements (Phoenix Silk Hose, Cat's Paw Rubber Heels) are period marketing unrelated to the satire. A final section discusses how "necessity develops specialists," referencing General Villa and Miss Davis handling hunger strikers in pre-war Europe, suggesting wartime will produce military leaders needed to reorganize the continent afterward. The page reflects American attitudes toward distant European conflict—confusion, satirical distance, and focus on domestic life.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
War! HEN Popoff bangs at Hellenstein And Czardas batters Sanjako, And Tirpitz’s great turrets whine For just one bite at Jellicoe— What in the world shall we all do? We can’t pronounce a single name; We can’t tell if this fight’s the same As that we read of weeks ago! Indeed, sometimes I am in doubt If it’s worth while to root at all For people whom we cannot call By any name we know about! Arthur Stanley Riggs. How to be a Strategist IX view of the limited number of occupations open to men, we are glad to call attention to that of the Strategist. There are a few minor objections to this calling which might be mentioned first. The hours are irregular. A Strategist is likely to be called at any hour of the night, and, clad in possibly only a second-hand suit of fur-trimmed pajamas, he may be compelled to gallop over some future battlefield, He also moves a good deal. Just as he gets set- For absolute certainty of quality, style and fit —and for durability that is really a marvel, you should wear PHOENIX SILK HOSE As close to perfection as human skill and the finest of pure-dye thread silk can make it. The best shops in every town and city } sell Phoenix Silk Hose and give it their unqualified en- dorsement be- cause they know that it ex- actly meets the require- ments of discrim- inating Men's, $0¢ to $1.50 Pair Women’ }0 Pair Made ia America” by NITTING WORKS, 235 Broadway Miwavkee t’s Paw Heels have greatly reduced wet sidewalks, ice or polished floors. letyou'slip. It is set in Cat’s Paw Rubber re the wear comes. Not only The first shows the Foster Orthopedic Heel which affords safety against falling arches. Gives extra Support where needed. .Bispecially valuable for heavy gieople and those who are on: their {cet a great deal, The second arguv points to the famous Black Cat which is your safe guide i buying. Whenever you see a Black Cat think of Cat's Paw Heels, Wherever you sce this sign, you know the genuine are sold. The third géyow points to the regular Cail} Paw Heel which is “worn*the world over.” iat on Cat's Paw Heels from your ealer. Wlack or tan, soc. attached. Cost no more than ordinaiy kjnds. Fuster Orthopedic, 75¢. BER COMPANY, FEDERAL STREET, Bost mators and Patentees Py TM Biter Friction Plug which prevents slipping. CUSHION HEEL foster RUBBER co tled in some comfortable headquarters Specialists Awarded he may be called elsewhere by sudden ZCESSITY develops _ specialists. business and sleep that night in another In fairly pressing times just be- strange bed, or possibly on a hair rug. fore the war in Europe General Villa Sometimes Strategists are confined in demonstrated capacity to deal with I, forts, where the air is stuffy and the W. W's and Miss Davis to deal with noise of explosives conveyed there by hunger strikers. Out of the immense a heartless foe is likely to break one’s swiss ie’ Eurwpe will eaieege gene a erals and admirals no doubt, but the On the other hand, the Strategist is greatest need may be of statesmen to usually very safe. He occupies a posi- rearrange the continent. tion as far in the rear of the operation as the war-lord who, in the beginning, caused all the trouble. Every Strategist should know geog- raphy and should also keep up with it from day to day. Many a Strategist has been ruined by letting geography get ahead of him at the wrong moment. He should also, if possible, be a mar- ried man. When you are arranging your campaign and calculating just what the enemy will do under any given set of circumstances, you will find that to have about twenty or thirty years of married life back of you is a 7 BASEBALL TERM great help. “ PiRsT UP” comicbooks.com