Life, 1916-09-14 · page 26 of 38
Life — September 14, 1916 — page 26: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes American military and political priorities. The top cartoon depicts a wealthy audience mesmerized by a vision of an automobile—illustrating materialism overriding higher ideals (the biblical quote "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" underscores this). Below, "The Spirit of the American Navy" mocks priorities by contrasting celebrated historical naval figures (Lawrence, Perry, Dewey) with a Secretary of the Navy whose proudest accomplishment was increasing chaplains from 24 to 52. This trivializes military leadership. The bottom exchange about "sins in Mexico" (likely referring to U.S. military interventions there) uses wordplay on "mission/omission/commission" to critique American foreign policy as hypocritical or incomplete. The three cartoon panels on the right mock Congressional posturing—representatives demanding and receiving respect while the nation faces real problems. Overall, the page critiques American society for prioritizing wealth and ceremonial honor over substantive military leadership and honest foreign policy.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
We ben “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” The Spirit of the American Navy APTAIN JAMES LAWRENCE: Boys, don’t give up the ship. Comopore Perry: We've met the enemy and they are ours. Apsara. Dewey: If you're looking for a fight, we're ready tor it any time you are, Sreretary : The most thank- ful day of my service as Secretary of the Navy was when we increased the number of chaplains from twenty-four to fifty-two. “Ww T are our sins in Mexico?” Those of mission, omission and commission.” 1 DEMAND THAT 1 BE TREATED WITH THE RESPECT DUE ME.” “ SiR, 1 GLADLY OBEY,””