Life, 1915-11-11 · page 29 of 44
Life — November 11, 1915 — page 29: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**Top Cartoon ("The Prodigal Son Returns"):** A satirical domestic scene depicting a man returning home with his wife and five children. The caption's joke—"just wait till the little cuss is able to run a lawnmower"—suggests optimism about a troublemaking child's eventual usefulness, likely commentary on a contemporary social or political figure's redemption prospects. **"Heading for Berlin" Section:** This article attacks George McClellan (appears to be a public figure of the era) for defending German conduct in Belgium and advocating Belgian acceptance of German rule. The text indicates his statements about Belgium were widely repudiated in newspapers. The satire suggests McClellan should relocate to Berlin since his pro-German stance makes him unwelcome in America. This references WWI-era tensions and German "frightfulness" (atrocities) in Belgium. **"Our Fad Department":** Brief satirical suggestions for reform movements, including gum regulation and servant entertainment—likely mocking trendy social reform proposals of the period.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Optimist: OH, WELL, JUST WAIT TILL, THE LITTLE CUSS IS ABLE TO RUN A LAWN- MowER! THE PRODIGAL SON RETURNS (WITH HIS WIFE AND FIVE CHILDREN) Heading for Berlin HERE does George McClellan expect to spend the rest of his days? If he comes back to the United States he will find himself persosa non grata to most of his former associates. Both the statements and the spirit of his discourse about Belgium are re- pudiated by scores of qualified repudia- tors in letters to the English-speaking newspapers. His allegations of fact are riddled; his desire and recommen- dation that the Belgians should accept German rule is denounced. What General Joffre told Owen Johnson (see Collier's) about the Ger- mans in Belgium is the truth. He said that the moment the result of the battle of the Marne persuaded the Germans that they might be beaten they dropped their policy of “ frightfulness.” It was (adler |, Caer We a policy safe only against helpless peo- ple who would never have a chance to retaliate. Fear of consequences abated German ferocity in Belgium. George McClellan, as apologist for Germany in Belgium and advocate of Belgian submission, must be planning to pass the autumn of his life in Berlin, Our Fad Department (Suggestions, more or less useful, to reformers, fanatics and hysterical seomen for new movements.) Gover ing gum. . control of chew- Minimum working hours for walk- ing delegates A national servant's entertainment committee. comicbooks.com