Life, 1916-08-03 · page 14 of 38
Life — August 3, 1916 — page 14: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The top cartoon by M.S. Walker depicts a military officer confronting an indigenous leader, with soldiers lined up behind. The caption "The Bookie" and accompanying text "The Seven Ages of War" outline imperialist expansion: entering foreign countries, exploiting native labor, declaring war, invasion, and conquest while establishing business interests. This satirizes the justifications used for colonialism and military intervention. The "seven ages" framework critiques how Western powers systematized imperial conquest as inevitable civilization-building. The lower illustration and dialogue snippets appear unrelated—comedic vignettes about social life. The page overall presents contrasting content typical of *Life*'s satirical approach: serious political critique alongside light humor and advertisements.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
PAD eee R- The Seven Ages of War ERRSANce of civilized in- vestors into foreign country. Establishment of business in- terests in foreign country. ixploitation of native labor by civilized investors. Revolt of native labor. Demand upon home govern- ment by civilized investors for protection of business interests. Declaration of war by civilized government, followed by patriotic invasion of foreign country and consequent slaughter of young men who have no idea what they are fighting for. Complete conquest of foreign country, establishment of business interests, extinction of native THE ROOKIE “VERY LITTLE GOING ON AT THE SEASHORE” population, and glorious triumph of civilization. D.B. A Case in Point RIGGS: Don't you think en- vironment affects us greatly? Griccs: I do. 1 acted as an en- vironment for a girl last night and I thought she seemed affected, “LIAS he asked for your daugh- ter’s hand?” “No, but I have hopes; he has taken to ordering the servants about.” R. O'BRIEN: Be a good lad, and shtudy harrd, Dinny; and some day ye may be Prisi- dint av Ireland, and hov ivery- body rispicting yer mimory!