Life, 1915-07-22 · page 4 of 44
Life — July 22, 1915 — page 4: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page from *Life* magazine (June 15, 1915) satirizes American neutrality during World War I. A letter from "Uncle Sam" to *Life* magazine expresses support for remaining neutral while acknowledging his sympathy for the Allies against Germany and the Central Powers. The satire's point: Uncle Sam claims neutrality is his position, yet his language reveals clear bias—he hopes Germans will be defeated and Berlin will surrender. The accompanying illustration shows Uncle Sam conversing with a bird (likely an eagle, symbolizing America), reinforcing the hypocrisy. The post-script about "women" controlling him references women's suffrage activism and growing female influence on editorial policy during this period. The final verse mocks the contradiction between stated neutrality and actual sympathies, calling the position a false "coupon" that cannot truly bind the nation's preferences.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Dear Lire: I see that you are getting out a Neutral Number next week. Good ! That’s the way I feel about it. I’m going to be neutral no matter what happens— if every last cartridge goes to help the Allies, all the Germans leave the country, and Berlin surrenders. That’s the way I feel about it. And I’m glad to see that you are with me. Neutrally and commercially yours, Uncie Sam. Mount: Vernon, Va. June 15, 1915. Now that I am controlled by the women I have to add the usual P. S$. You might put me down for a three months’ subscription. I’d like to show your paper to Josephus. It may give him an idea.—S. Next Tuesday noon walk up to your newsdealer with a con- fident smile and ten cents and whisper “Lire” —unless you are a regular. ‘Business Office, Out Upon Thee! Obnoxious coupon! Never more Within this corner flaunt thy ware That cultured critics may deplore Lhy cheap commercial, figured stare; Nor let Lire’s rates (whate’er they be) Control us, tho’ the B, O.* rage. Avaunt, dull coupon! We'd be free. Obey that impulse! Quit this page! Hi Ar a thin cover tire a sprinj comicbooks.com