Life, 1915-03-25 · page 16 of 44
Life — March 25, 1915 — page 16: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes wartime attitudes and spring frivolity during what appears to be World War I. **"Why Is This Thus?"** criticizes retired Admiral Bowles for returning from Germany in February and publicly predicting German victory. The piece questions why retired naval officers seem disproportionately pro-German and confident in German success—suggesting their military background paradoxically makes them sympathetic to enemy interests rather than their own nation's. **"Spring Bloom"** is a lighthearted poem by Juliet Wilbor Tompkins about a young woman's irresistible urge to buy spring fashions (linens, ribbons, hats, stockings) despite her mother's disapproval. It uses the metaphor of natural spring growth to justify shopping fever—"putting out my leaves" and "bursting into bloom." The left illustration shows an intimate couple, with the caption about molasses candy as a flirtation. **"The Traffic Cop"** (right illustration) appears to show a street scene, though its specific satirical point is unclear from this excerpt alone.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“ESE “OM, BY THE WAY, MAREL, I'VE. GOT SOME MOLASSES CANDY IN MY TROUSERS POCKET FoR YOU” Why Is This Thus > ATE in February Admiral Bowles (retired) came back from Germany and announced ‘that Germany would win this war. Stick a pin in that! Retired naval officers, for seme reason unknown, scem to be exceptionally inclined to a pro-German attitude, and exceptionally hospitable to the expectation of German success. What is there-about naval education or experience that produces this curious result? JACULATION of a Vacationist: O Lord! I have left behind all the things I ought to have taken and T have taken all of the things 1 really didn't want, and there is not much health in me. Spring Bloom HE spring desire is on me, for the shops are all athrong, And the longing to be spending is a fever and a song. I will buy a frock of linen, silver green and grassy cool, Oh, a linen like a willow, with the mirror for a pool! I will buy a lac y jacket and a rosy morning cap... Ah, mother, don’t be angry—it's the rising of the sap. ‘The spring desire is on me, and [ cannot sleep at night, For my stockings shall be azure and my shoes a dancing white; There shall roses be and ribbons round the hat that I shall trim, Oh, a laughing hat to crown me, with a shadow in the brim! I will choose the fairest colors, I will buy the finest weaves... Ah, mother, please forgive me—Tam putting out my leaves. Let me out into the morning—oh, my heart is on ahead To the heaped and growling counters of the city garden bed. I must fold away the winter, I must make me fine and sweet From the throat that's full of singing to the glory of my feet! I will buy a silver tissue, 1 will buy a golden plume . . . Ah, mother, you .remember—I am bursting into bloom! Julict Wilbor Tompkins. THE TRAFFIC COP