Life, 1916-04-13 · page 19 of 46
Life — April 13, 1916 — page 19: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**The Main Cartoon ("Thou Shall Not Steal"):** Shows a figure in dark clothing standing before a deteriorating wall with exposed bricks—likely representing America's weak military defenses. A dog watches from above. This illustrates the article's argument that America is currently defenseless. **The Article's Point:** Written during World War II (references to current Allies and Germany), it argues America faces danger because of military unpreparedness. It draws a historical parallel: during the Revolution, France saved the struggling colonies. Now, the author warns, unless the Allies win WWII, America—with no army, coast defenses, or ammunition—would be easy prey for Germany. The critique is sharp: Congress is called "colossal stupidity," and the piece warns Americans cannot rely on foreign aid twice. **The "Limbs" Section:** Appears to be satirical filler content—an absurdist digression about literal and figurative "limbs" (possibly mocking something contemporary, unclear from context alone). The overall message: America must rearm immediately or face invasion.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The Second Time Without the timely assistance of Rochambeau, de Grasse and de Barras, it is doubtful that the strug- gling colonies would ever have achieved their independence —The Military Unpreparedness of the United States, by Frederic Louis Huidekoper. R. HUIDEKOPER points out in his book that during the war of the Revolution we employed over 395,000 men, whereas the entire British force from first to last was only about 130,605. Owing to short-term service, the largest force Washington was able to command at any battle was 17,000. As the war progressed the response to the military necessities diminished, and in “THOU SHALT NOT STEAL” 1781 not 30,000 troops were furnished by the states, whereas at the critical moment, when France stepped in, the British commanded 38,000 effective men. France, then, presented us with our independence. France, together with the help of England and Russia, is now doing it again. For unless the Allies win this war, who shall doubt that, with no army to defend us, practically no coast defenses, no ammunition, and a Congress whose colossal stupidity has never been approached, Germany would find in America the easiest of easy marks? “W. 5 his crime premeditate “T don't think so, He thought it all out beforehand, you know.” Limbs IMBS come on trees and people. They are seen on trees, in court rooms, on the stage and at the sea- shore. They may be covered with bark, plasters, or silk, as the case may be. Limbs are useful in many ways Pelicans, who are very economical and therefore never get into deep er, only use one at a time. Soll them during various purposes, some- times standing upon them and some- times running away. Limbs are made of cork, wood or Cork limbs are useful as life preservers. Wooden limbs can be taken off and used for purposes of defense. Bone limbs often enable one to get on one’s feet. ers use bone. comicbooks.com