Life, 1915-07-15 · page 41 of 48
Life — July 15, 1915 — page 41: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This story depicts a cautionary fantasy where a European power has conquered the United States. The satire targets American political leadership—specifically the former Secretary of the Navy and Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee (representing military and fiscal authority)—who are brought before the conquering ruler in chains. The ruler's explanation for America's defeat centers on negligence: ammunition was concentrated near New York, the navy was unprepared and easily destroyed, and American leaders failed through "blindness and indifference to your country's interest." **The Point:** This is pre-WWI or WWI-era propaganda warning against isolationism, military unpreparedness, and political complacency. It suggests that America's vulnerability stems not from external threat alone, but from internal failure of leadership to anticipate danger and maintain readiness. The story uses dark humor to shame policymakers into taking national defense seriously. The page also contains an Ajax Tires advertisement, unrelated to the satire.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Allies “HAVE they arrived?” The ruler of the great European power turned to the Chief of Staff, “Yes, sire.” “Show them in,” The door opened and the former Secretary of the United States Navy and the Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee in the House of Congress shuffled in, bound in chains. “Good morning, gentlemen,” said the ruler. “J trust you had a pleasant journey.” He offered them his cigarette “T suppose it was a surprise to you, gentlemen, when we conquered the United States so easily?” The former American Secretary leaned forward. His face was pale. “If—-" he began, The ruler stopped him, “*1f'" he said, “is a large word. If you had been prepared we wouldn't have come. If certain things hadn't happened, ch? Well, we saw that they didn’t happen, Success in war depends upon anticipating everything. But you were so easy. All the ammunition in America was located within a radius of 160 miles from New York. Your navy—why, in two days all your ships were disabled, and we landed. We could have taken New York with fifty thousand men instead of one hundred thousand, but it is better to be sure. And now, gentlemen, what can I do for you?” The former Secretary of the Na and the Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee gasped. “We are your prisoners,” they murmured, The ruler touched a bell. The Chief of Staff reappeared. “Remove those chains, set these gentlemen free and give them the best of everything. My dear sirs, nothing is too good for you, Wasn't it by your blindness and indifference to your country’s interest that we con- “quered it?” Tasting the salt of life If your experience has been with the common run of tires you’ ve not tasted the salt of the unusual, nor known of the day of more mileage and better service. The dull monot- ony of the commonplace is represented in the 3500 miles which most tires are expected to realize. In contrast are Ajax Tires guaranteed in writing for 5000 miles. Men who go unerringly to the nub of things, who grasp a big subject and squeeze out the essence of truth, know of the higher in-built quality and greater worth of Ajax Tires, and they appreciate, too, the great protection of their tire investment which is offered in the Ajax written guarantee of 43 per cent more miles. No greater endorsement of Ajax Tires could be had than the number of important persons who are loyal and enthusiastic in their choice of Ajax. Your Own Tire ' Decide Now On You can solve the TIRES Let your next tire tire question. You Guaranteed purchase be an can add to your Ajax. Decide now in writing : motoring pleasure, to equip your car to the satisfaction ooo with A Tires. and service you There is a good get from tires, and Ajax dealer close with important sav- at hand to serve ing in cost. AJAX-GRIEB RUBBER COMPANY, tn. 1796-1798 Broadway, New York NCHES: Atlanta, Boston, Brooklyw, Ch Cleveland, Dall 4 Kansas City, Moy Minweapolis, Ph in, Seattle, Pe Facn Trenton, N. FORTUNE comicbooks.com