Life, 1914-11-26 · page 7 of 44
Life — November 26, 1914 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page critiques **German militarism and Kaiser Wilhelm II** during World War I. The header illustration shows the Kaiser with military figures, labeled "The Kaiser and His Gods." The main article mocks German philosophy and leadership, sarcastically suggesting the Kaiser worships Nietzsche and Prussian military culture rather than traditional religion. It argues German masses follow these "gods" uncritically. The photograph below depicts three women in classical dress, captioned with a romantic dilemma: choosing between duty (marrying one woman) versus love (another). This appears unrelated satirically, likely addressing contemporary social attitudes about women and marriage. The sidebar from "The Editor" dismisses German intellectual justifications for warfare, representing American editorial skepticism toward German wartime propaganda.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The Kaiser and His Gods BEES any reputations made in this war? Too soon to say, but some have been improved. For example? The Duke of Alva’s, Tilly’s, Attila’s and the Adversary’s. They're better thought of? Yes, since the Germans sacked Bel- gium and bombarded Rheims Cathe- dral. Made rough jobs of Belgium and Rheims? Pretty rough! Well? All those Belgian horrors may be needed to excuse the Cossacks and the Turcos when they get to Germany. They're pretty wild? Sometimes, Primitive, you know, like the Prussians. It is not right to blame the Prussians too much. They were born so. It seems necessary to kill them, that’s all. All of them? Oh, no!» Just enough killing seem a bad trade. The Kaiser, too? Can’t say. Nice man, the Kaiser. Nice family of boys, too, Got a bug, though, Have to leave it to his own people to settle with him. He seems to suit them. Yes, he seems to, so far. Very pious man, the Kaiser. Yes; sincerely pious, but out of date. Seems to stand by Odin; Odin and Krupp. Fine gods, Odin and Krupp, but not modern enough. Time of peace prepare for war; time of war Prepare for hell; that’s Odin and Krupp. Not very popular gods out- side of Prussia, All right gods for Nietzsche, Von Treitschke, Bernhardi, and the Hohenzollerns, but not suit- able nowadays for the masses, But still— to make But the German masses seem to think well of the Kaiser's gods. Yes, so far; but they sing Luther’s hymns to them, and suppose they are the old-time god of Luther. But they're not? Not a bit. They’re the gods of Nietzsche and Von Treitschke. That's what’s the matter with Germany. After a while she'll find it out. It is a pity that the historians of the several countries cannot put con- troversy aside and begin at once to clear the field by collecting unim- peachable data, especially of the sort more readily available now than later.—Springfield Republican, UR contemporary is evidently not familiar with the sources. All that historians will need is a com- picte file of the Hearst newspapers. The Editor ON’'T edit Magazine or Journal, Not even if they call you “ Colonel"! The Editor is born for Woe. (I've been the Thing and hence I know.) With Open Ears to all Advisers— Subscribers, Owners, Advertisers— He toils within his gloomy Haunts A-guessing What the Public Wants, Repelling Lovely Authoresses Who will not Guess the Way he Guesses— Yet has to read what every Bore Has got to say about the War. Arthur Guiterman, OTTO for Congressmen—When in doubt, make a spe WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF ONE WAS THE GIRL YOU ARE ABOUT TO MARRY (FOR A CONSIDERATION) AND THE OTHER WAS THE GIRL YOU ARE IN LOVE WITH? comicbooks.com