Life, 1917-03-08 · page 16 of 42
Life — March 8, 1917 — page 16: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This 1916 *Life* magazine page critiques German diplomacy during World War I and American official naivety about it. **Main article**: Sarcastically mocks U.S. government officials for expressing "astonishment" that Germany denied initiating submarine warfare negotiations. The author argues this is foolish—Germany has consistently acted aggressively for 2.5 years and repeatedly broken agreements. The piece advises treating any German proposal as inherently dishonest, calling the nation "a dishonored concern." **"Virtues of the Mule"**: A brief humorous poem praising mules' patience and work ethic. **"Dr. Wilson to Dr. Shaw"**: References President Wilson's congratulatory letter to Dr. Anna Shaw (National Woman Suffrage Association president) on her 70th birthday. The satirist questions whether Wilson would similarly honor Mrs. Dodge, president of the anti-suffrage movement, suggesting presidential courtesy should be politically neutral rather than favoring suffragists. **Photo caption**: Shows Mrs. Howe D. Clevva, praised for stage talent. The page reflects American pre-WWI skepticism of Germany and contemporary suffrage movement debates.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
392 Surprising Astonishment Wasnixcrox, Feb, 13—The un- official announcement from Berlin to-night that Germany did not initi- ate the proposal to discuss with the United States its offensive subma- rine decree caused astonishment in official circles—-The World. RILY, the capacity for astonish- ment at Germany in our official circles is remarkable, and far exceeds that of the average man. “T refuse to believe,” wrote Presi- dent Wilson, “that it is the intention of the German authorities to do in fact what they have warned us they will feel at liberty to do.” More astonishment; simulated, per- haps, for diplomatic purposes, Yet what Germany proposed to do was en- tirely in keeping with what she had been doing for two years and a half whenever it seemed expedient. Dear official friends, cease, oh, cease to be astonished at Germany! Where official Germany is concerned, always look for a lie. Take it as your first principle that no agreement will hold Germany a minute after it seems to her profitable to break i proposal means what it says. Lies and frightfulness are official Germany’s chosen tools. She will use them to the end without scruple. One of the great. advantages of breaking with her is to be quit of dealings with a dishonored concern whose touch is pitch, Virtues of the Mule “THE mule is patient, fond of work, His virtues well bear sifting; Besides, the business end of him Is always so uplifting! SLANG PHRASE GIVING HIM THE 0 GREAT AMERICANS MRS, HOWE D. CLEVVA, WHOSE FRIENDS ALL TELL HEK SHE HAS WONDERFUL TALENT FOR THE STACE Dr. Wilson to Dr. Shaw tion, on her se ample of his more endearing manner. Was it by way of expressing their appreciation that suffragists planned to girdle the White House with march- ing women and ten brass bands on the gth of March? When it is the hirthday of Mrs. Dodge, the president of the Antis, will she also get a letter in Mr. Wilson’s endearing manner, wishing her “many more years of useful service and increasing happiness as they come”? Certainly, these presidential tributes should not be partisan. comicbooks.com