Life, 1917-04-26 · page 30 of 84
Life — April 26, 1917 — page 30: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains WWI-era social commentary. The central "War!" piece mocks wealthy Americans claiming patriotic support while offering elaborate excuses to avoid personal sacrifice—gout, wine cellars, automobiles, delicate palates, business concerns. The speaker supports war enthusiastically *for others* while finding reasons he personally cannot serve. "The Dream of Peace" cartoon shows three figures (labeled Pacifist and Hyphen) meeting under a dove, satirizing pacifist and immigrant positions during wartime nationalism. "Growing Harder" jokes about a motorist becoming desensitized to dangerous driving after repeated trips. A brief exchange mocks government rationing: mince pies are prohibited because ingredients are needed for explosives. "The Nest" is sentimental poetry celebrating home and family. The bottom cartoon contrasts a greyhound (described as wonderful runner) with a terrier labeled pacifist—likely suggesting pacifists must "run away" from conflict, a common WWI-era insult. Overall, the page ridicules wealthy draft-avoiders and pacifism while celebrating patriotic sacrifice and domestic values.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
pYPHEN THE DREAM OF PEACE War! 'M for war! Had I a few sons, who would not be offended by my liber- ality, I'd offer them to my country; but I have none; I have only two daughters, whose social duties demand that they remain in their chosen field. Were it not for the persistency of my gout, I'd shoulder a musket and wipe out the enemy, Were it not for my inordinate fondness for rare wines, I'd auction off my cellarful of sparkling vintages and gladly donate the pro- ceeds to the relief of dependent fami. lies. If walking were not such an effort, and riding in elevated trains so boresome, I'd immediately get rid of my automobiles and yacht and donate liberally to the Red Cross cause. Were my palate less delicately cultivated, I'd be willing to forego the out-of-season foods that now make my life worth living. If it were not for the shortage of labor that would ensue, which would necessarily decrease the returns on my vast outlay of capital, I'd encourage a desire among my employees to enlist But, try as I will, I seem not to be able to think of any sound reason why I, personally, under any circumstances, should go to the front. Therefore, I'm for war—strong! ‘I HEAR the government has pro- hibited the making of mince pies.” “Yes, it needs the ingredients for high explosives.” Growing Harder WHEN first he ought his little ear aug acwhizs It climbed the Wills But since he’s driven fast and far, this, ve ot” The hills 3% Walter G. Doty. The Nest 'HE nest is round and the nest is small, Dear little circle enclosing all, All of the joy in the wide world’s bound, Though the nest is small and the nest is round, The nest is fashioned of common things, Leaves and strings, Yet never a palace so lordly fine As the palace fashioned of leaves and twine. grasses and twigs and The house had never an architect, No pother of plans to discuss and se- lect, But Love was the builder and Love was the plan, And Love was the competent artisan. No lease was signed by these happy folk, No rent was required by their Land- lord Oak; All at no charges, and all of the best— The world’s biggest bargain is surely a nest! Amos R. Wells. The Poodle: THAT GREYHOUND IS A WONDERFUL RUNNER, The Terrier; HE HAS TO BE. HE'S A PACIFIST.