Life, 1914-10-29 · page 29 of 44
Life — October 29, 1914 — page 29: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains WWI-era political satire from *Life* magazine. The main piece is a mock "protest letter" sarcastically defending Kaiser Wilhelm II against American criticism. The satire works by presenting absurd pro-Kaiser arguments with a straight face: the Kaiser "abhors military things," everything was "forced upon him," destroyed towns are "absolutely safe," and killing is actually mercy. The accompanying cartoons reinforce the mockery: one shows a child asking if God should "declare a moratorium" (a break) on prayer; another depicts wealth and pleasure continuing obliviously while war rages. The "Risky Districts" section lists dangerous global locations, likely suggesting where property investments are unsafe—a dark joke given the wartime context. The overall message: American neutrality toward Germany's aggressive actions is foolish. The elaborate sarcasm aims to shame readers into recognizing the Kaiser's culpability for the war's destruction.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE FIRST “ FOLLOW-Ur" A Protest = have been asked to publish the following open letter to the American people: Deak Amerteans: I wish to protest axainst the attitude you have taken towards the Kaiser. There has been too much misunderstand- ing of recent events in Europe, I know whereof T spea In the first place, essentially military the Kaiser is not He abhors military things, and only wears his uniforms jonally while getting his other clothes pressed, or upon state occasions. Everything has been forced upon him. The navy has been forced upon him. The army has been forced upon him. Taxes have been forced upon him, And yet charge that the Kaiser is forceful. How could he be forceful when everybody doing the forcing? Then there is another thing. criticize the destruction of Louy other places, I know for 4 positive cer- tainty that the Kaiser adopted this course as the best way to protect those towns from a worse fate. You must remember that a destroyed town is ab solutely safe. I also know that every- body that has been shot has been put to death for his or her own good. You would realize this better if you under stood conditions Why should our Kaiser, who doesn’t you else is You jin and Adam: on, WELL, 1p I'VE GOT TO GO TO Wo! WELL GO INTO THE REAL-ESTATE RUS! NIS R (praying) : and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. Limite Witte (to father) : to declare a moratorium, papa? LETTER TAKING A DRINK ME® GREAT-GRANDMOTHER Tt stands to reason that it is no s be invaded by a hostile army, makes it plain. Whom the War Lord loveth he chastencth. Kaiser Wilhelm. having set himself the Christian task of eliminating everybody who doesn't sree with him, cannot be expected to balk at taking human life, destroying, property and sacred works of art, or to be influenced by other considerations 0° a maudlinly sentimental nature. Yours for fair play, Prorgessor Iaco Musrernuc. A chances century to centur: (a) (b) (ce) (d) (e) (f) nue in (gs) UARIES pute Does he want the Lord AND HERSELP Risky Districts are invited to com- publish average property from and of life and In Martinique. On the slopes of Vesuvins, In Messina. In the environs of A®tna. In San Francisco. On Broadway and Fifth Ave- New York. In Belgium. comicbooks.com