Life, 1916-08-24 · page 15 of 42
Life — August 24, 1916 — page 15: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page critiques American neutrality during World War I. The top cartoon, "The Inefficient Clerk," depicts a store scene where a clerk appears indifferent while customers (representing nations) conduct business—likely satirizing American failure to take decisive action while European nations fight. The poem "Neutrality" directly attacks the concept, questioning how Americans can claim neutrality while profiting from or ignoring Belgium's suffering (invaded by Germany in 1914). It invokes patriotic language about English blood and Belgian victims to shame neutral inaction. The bottom cartoon and accompanying caption suggest that wealthy men like Wilson or Hughes profit financially (mining stock reference) while remaining politically uncommitted—exposing hypocrisy between claimed neutrality and actual self-interest during wartime.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE [NEFFICIENT CLERK Neutrality T is not that our fathers’ English blood Burns in us now that England bleeds; ‘tis not Friendship for France nor pity for the lot Of Belgium buried in invasi flood That scorns neutrality, but there's a flame Hot in the hearts of men whose spirits live Blazing for faith and freedom. Who can give His soul the lie and wear a neutral’s name With worlds at stake? Be blind and dumb, To murder mild-eyed and to rapine numb— A senseless nothing! Who dares say we must Be neutral? To the Lusitania’s shame? Neutral to Edith Cavell’s martyr fame? Neutral—with Belgium broken in the dust! “HELLO THERE! ALN’T YOU THE YOUNG FELLER THAT H a rich man announces that he is for Wilson it is SOLD ME SOME MINING STOCK WHEN [ WAS IN THE CITY in order for him to explain. But if he says he is for TWO YEAKS AGO? WELL, I'LL JUST LET YE STAY THERE Hughes no explanation is needed, TILL IT GETS BACK TO PAR. comicbooks.com