Life, 1917-04-12 · page 30 of 42
Life — April 12, 1917 — page 30: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three satirical pieces from an era when America was debating post-WWI foreign policy and military readiness (likely early 1920s). **"Do It Now"** advocates gifting $1 billion to France as repayment for Revolutionary War aid, arguing this national debt should be paid outright rather than as a loan. **"Our Fighters Must Go!"** sarcastically criticizes the removal of General Leonard Wood and Admiral Fiske from positions of power. The piece mocks their exile to harmless posts (Charleston, Yosemite Valley), suggesting the administration fears strong military voices who believe war requires scientific preparation and serious fighting capability. **"Diplomatic Machinery"** presents a cynical father-son dialogue explaining that diplomacy involves deliberate deception—making others believe the opposite of your true intentions. **"Bureau of Naturalization" cartoon** (bottom) shows an immigrant desperately seeking entry, illustrating anxieties about immigration policy during this restrictive era. The overall tone is deeply sardonic about government competence, military leadership, and international relations.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
MATERIAL AND Do It Now The United States ought to give France $1,000,000,000 without a day’s unnecessary delay—not as a loan but as a gift—as “a new proof of affection and friendship.” —New York World. HAT has been done for France by individual American effort has been of priceless value to America. But it has not been nearly enough. The debt we owe France is a national debt of the United States. Let us pay it as a nation. A billion dollars from us now will really help France in something of the measure that France helped our fathers in the Revolution. A billion dollars for France! Vote it, gentlemen of the Congress! indow posterity, our own posterity, with that timely for tune! Our Fighters Must Go! OW that the administration has put General Leonard Wood at Charleston, where he can do less harm than in New York, what is to be done about Admiral Fiske? We can’t have a man like that around here in war times. He is too dangerous. Fortunately, Mr. Daniels got him out of the navy in time to prevent his doing very much toward getting our navy up to its full strength. But, even with no official position, if he is permitted to be at large, he may incite someone to do some real fighting, and thus show that we can defend our- selves. But ala: dmiral Fiske might not stop there. He is one of those wicked people who believe that war is not kind and has to be fought on scientific principles. Admiral Fiske should be appointed at once to take charge of a recruiting station in Yosemite Valley. SPIRITUAL Diplomatic Machinery “para, when you are a diplomat you try to make the other fellow believe everything you say, don’t you?” “ Not exactly, my son. You try to make him believe just the opposite of what he thinks you really intend to say, and even then you are lying to him.” BUREAU OF i NATURALIZATION “LET ME IN, QUICK!”