Life, 1914-10-15 · page 28 of 48
Life — October 15, 1914 — page 28: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical poem by Arthur Guiterman mocks how financial interests drive military decisions. A general arrives to inspect troops but ignores military matters, instead reading stock market bulletins. His speech to soldiers reveals the satire's target: he motivates them not by patriotism but by cynical financial incentives. The war costs "eight million pounds per day," troops fight to protect financial "bonds" held by investors, and victory will benefit "Financiers" who control railways and gain from rising securities. The final lines crystallize the critique: soldiers are urged to fight for "Trade, Finance and Lombard Street" (London's financial district) while preserving the status quo—suggesting the wealthy wage war to protect their wealth and power, not national interests. The accompanying comic illustrations show cupid/cherub figures aging into increasingly aggressive warriors, visually reinforcing how war corrupts innocence.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“The War of the League” ( Thanks, Macaulay ! ) Ov General came speeding on to view the ranks of war; He gave the sign; before our line they stopped his motor- car, With stately grace he cast aside his military cape And read the market bulletins from off the ticker-tape. He next surveyed our trim parade, our cannon grouped in parks, And up he drew to make a few appropriate remarks. “Fix bayonets, my gallant men, and charge with courage high! Upon this field T hold it is a privilege to dic; “For never saw I promise yet of such a lavish fray— Remember, please, this warfare costs eight million pounds per day! “Then strike for brave Simonia, whose lands our foes invade! We hold her bonds; she must not fall before her debts are paid. “And think, the while ye storm the works where yon dark standard flies, How grandly, when the fight is won, Securities will rise. “For if we gain the victory (for which the prospect's fine), Our Financiers alone shall rule the Southern Railway Line! “So let the squadrons thunder down and let the fray com- mence, Explode the mines, discharge the guns regardless of ex- pense! “Ho! gentlemen to whom we've leased the moving-picture rights, Prepare your cinematograph to take our fight of fights. \ “And raise the ery as on we rush upon the tyrant foe, ‘For Trade, Finance and Lombard Street!—God save the Status Quo!’” Arthur Guiterman. AS TIME GOES ON YouTH comicbooks.com