Life, 1916-08-10 · page 24 of 38
Life — August 10, 1916 — page 24: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes German-American ethnic tension during World War I. The top cartoons mock a New York German-language publication urging German immigrants to avoid English, depicting absurd scenarios where Germans speaking only German create chaos: a waiter ignores an emergency call about a burglary, a drowning man's cries for help are dismissed as idle chatter. The satire's point: German immigrants who refuse to assimilate linguistically endanger themselves and others, making them poor citizens. This reflects widespread anti-German sentiment and Americanization pressure of the era. Below, "The Abandoned Enterprise" humorously describes a "Society for Minding Your Own Business"—an impossible organization in America. A woman feminist refuses membership (won't develop self-reliance), a congressman calls it "worse than anarchy." The society promptly dissolves. Together, these pieces critique both ethnic insularity and American individualism/nosiness—suggesting Americans can't mind their own business, while some immigrants won't integrate.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“LIFE Don’t Speak English A New York German publication urges Germans in this country not to speak English—From New York Times. Von Limpugcer: Kellner! Kellner! Ich bin in grosser Eile, wollen Sie mir gitigst einen Schweinsknéchel, und zwei Bratwiirste mit Kartoffelsalat bringen! Proressor Hassrxruss: Wollen Sie mich, mit der nichsten Polizeiwache verbinden! Es ist namlich ein Ein- brecher in meiner Wohnung, der augenblicklich damit beschiftigt ist meine Frau zu ermorden! Optrator: Oh, ring off! pee ———a Herr Scuwinctater (sinking for the third time): Mein Herr. Retten Sie mich!! Ich gehe jetzt schon zum dritten- mal unter! Tur Passex-ny: Enjoying yourself? The Abandoned Enterprise HE Society for Minding Your Own Business convened yesterday afternoon at three o'clock. The attendance was naturally small. One lady wrote: “I am afraid that it will not be pos- sible for me to become a member, because, as I understand it, under your rules, it would be necessary for me to de- velop resources of my own, an obsolete practice which as an Arnerican feminist I could not hope to indulge myself in. I, therefore, beg to be excused.” A member of Congress wired: “I have received your invitation, but I beg to inform you that I shall not be pres- ent. I regard your society as being worse than anarchy.” It having become evident that so few people in America were likely to become members, and there being evidence of a possibility of the meeting being raided soon by the police, it was unanimously agreed by those present that dis- banding was the only thing to be done. It was, however, an interesting experiment, even if there was no chance of its, being a permanent feature of our advanced civilization. The president, as he closed up his desk, put out a sign “For Rent” and walked home by himself.