Life, 1915-03-11 · page 16 of 48
Life — March 11, 1915 — page 16: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains satirical commentary on World War I-era anxieties, presented through two distinct pieces. The main cartoon "My soul is fighting with the Gordon Highlanders" depicts a comedic dialogue between an American narrator and "Cousin Nogi" (apparently Japanese, per the byline crediting Wallace Irwin). Nogi requests money for atrocities abroad, specifically referencing German Zeppelin airship attacks on England. The narrator's response mocks American isolationism and self-interest: why worry about distant European horrors when American cities face domestic threats? He cites a bomb attack on a Houston Street barbershop as proof atrocities happen locally too. The satire targets American reluctance to engage with foreign conflicts while claiming Republican politics justifies prioritizing domestic industry. "If They Told the Truth" is a separate humor piece offering blunt, honest versions of polite social excuses—a wealthy neighbor declining a house tour, a doctor's diagnosis of laziness, car-sale dishonesty, and charitable donation misappropriation. It satirizes hypocrisy in everyday social interactions through brutal candor. Both pieces use exaggeration and irony to critique American attitudes and social conventions circa 1910s.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“My soul is fighting with the Gordon Highlanders” what other unkindness do you wish me to rebuke the King of Berlin?” “Airships,” Nogi say furthermore. “They are also atrocitie Are not your blood coldened with rage to think of Hon. Zeppelin aiming at Liverpool and hitting something near Dover? Last week a livery stable were wrecked and two policemen wounded by. this terrifickle Menace of the Air.” “Yesterday a social-unrested re- former name of Costello dropped one (1) bomb on a harber shop in Houston Street,” I renig. “Result of this were ambulance-service, fire alarm, newspaper reporters, morgue and sim- ilar public calamities. For two (2) days workmen was employed straight- ening out Houston Street where it was bent, and blown-away head of one Italian gentleman with peaceful ex- pression peculiar to being shaved, were found on top of Woolworth Bldg two miles away where it flew to when ex- ploded.” “There are quite difference between dynamighting barber shops» and ex- ploding England while asleep,” Nogi snuggest scornly. “Yes is,” I antagonize. “It are dif- ference between high aim and humble merit. Hon. Zeppelin throw a boom at Buckingham Palace and kill a cow in Kensington, Hon. Costello merely try to hit Italian barber, and when bang- up occur it are there where intended, removing customers, barber, hair oil, manicures and all other fixtures. No Nogi, you must go otherwhere for cash-money from me. Why should I send to Germany for atrocities when I can be hit by them in New York? I am too near-sighted to feel disgusted at such long range.” “How about Louvain?” he snag- ger. “How about N. Y. Subway?” I prognostic. “I am Republican in poli- tics. I do not enthuse to encourage foreign industries. Atrocities hegins at hom Cousin Nogi walk away from this rebuck while I could feel that soc set- ting quietly in my pocket like it was not at home to human kindness. Hoping you are the same Yours truly HasuiMmora Toco. (Per Wallace Irwin.) If They Told the Truth M awfully glad, old man, that I shan’t be able to go over your new suburban house to-morrow and have you bore me with a recital of all its fine points. My reason is, not that I have any particular objection to con- tributing to your vanity, but only that T am selfish enough to prefer my own comfort to yours.” “My dear, the doctor tells me that there is nothing the matter with you -but laziness, and that, in order to restore a lot of nerves which are not shattered, it will not be necessary for me to take a long trip. But if I can wheedle the cash out of you, I in- tend going away.” “Yes, my car is second-hand and breaks down twice a day on the aver- age, besides making as much noise as a Mississippi steamboat at the siege of Vicksburg; but, inasmuch as you are my best friend, I shall be delighted to sell it to you for twice as much as it is worth.” “The collection this morning will be for the benefit of the heathen, who will, I hope, eventually receive about two per cent. of it, the rest going to pay the expenses of offices, clerks and missionaries.” comichooksy