Life, 1915-11-04 · page 11 of 56
Life — November 4, 1915 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes American neutrality during World War I. The poem "A Neutral Prayer" by Will Herford mocks those seeking to profit from the war while remaining officially neutral—praying to "gain by others losing trade" and "profit by each murderous raid." The lower cartoon depicts a mother telling her children that "Father finds he can't go out after turkey to-day," likely referencing food rationing or shortages affecting American civilians during wartime. Together, these pieces critique the hypocrisy of American neutrality: wealthy individuals profiting from European conflict while ordinary families face domestic hardship. The satire targets both greedy profiteers and the inadequacy of official neutrality as a moral position during global crisis.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
A Neutral Prayer ELP me, O Lord, aside to stand, And, Lord, I ask, on bended knee, While tyrant hosts with ruthless hand, That every neutral death at sea Invade and wreck a peaceful land, May fully compensated be. And help me, Lord, blithe, unafraid, Finally, Lord, when Time has run, To gain by others losing trade, And Death has every victory won, And profit by each murderous raid. Help me to say, “ Thy will be done.” Will Herford. “NO, CHILDREN, FATHER FINDS HE CAN'T GO OUT AFTER TURKEY TO-DAY " comicbooks.com