Life, 1917-04-26 · page 52 of 84
Life — April 26, 1917 — page 52: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains WWI-era political satire mocking German restrictions on neutral shipping rights. **"Freedom of the Seas"**: The main text parodies an official German proclamation supposedly governing ferryboats between Manhattan and Hoboken. It's signed "ME und GOTT" (Me and God)—likely referencing Kaiser Wilhelm II's famous claim that God was on Germany's side. The absurdly impossible restrictions (painting devils on hulls, routing boats to Iceland and the North Pole, inspections by the U.S. President, departures only on non-existent "fifth Thursdays") mock Germany's actual interference with neutral American maritime commerce, which was a major grievance leading to U.S. entry into WWI. **Lower sections**: Brief war commentary and domestic humor sketches unrelated to the main satire. **Context**: This likely dates to early 1917, when German U-boat warfare was intensifying, threatening American neutrality and trade.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
‘LER E * Freedom of the Seas N CONSIDERATION of the Rights of Neutrals, which we have at all times scrupulously respected, and the Freedom of the Seas, for which we have persistently contended, we graciously append to our recent order the following limitations: The ferryboats between Manhattan and Hoboken may continue to ply, provided that (1) A life-size portrait of the devil be painted on each side of the hull above the water-line, and a live two-headed eagle chained to the mast-head. The American flag may also be hoisted, but not less than six feet below the centre of the keel. (2) The President of the United States shall per- sonally inspect the boat before each trip, and shall submit a sworn state- ment that neither freight nor passen- gers are aboard. (3) All ferryboats shall proceed in a straight line between Iceland and the North Pole. (4) The boats shall leave and arrive only on the fifth Thursday of each month, and not more than one boat each day. All ferryboats observing these simple restrictions will be relatively safe, and if sunk, will be apologized for. Abso- lute safety cannot be guaranteed. Any attempt to continue the ferry service, except as here directed, will be considered as a deliberate tempting of Providence. * (Signed) ME unp Gort (Especially ME). ONDON “Lloyds” was quoted (April 11th) as reporting odds offered that the war will be over by July tst. In Washington (April roth) persons Be lately returned from France were re- ONG ported as quoting Dr. Alexis Carrel as of opinion that the war would last fifty years, If you want to bet, bet in somewhere between these estimates. of ti te oblig It is | must ex things ¢ done by “1 TELL YE WOT, MISTER, IF 1 WAS TO LEAD ‘IM UNDER THAT TREE, YE COULD Mone It wil CLIMB OUT ON THE BRANCH AN’ DROP ON 'IM" I is neces j means . . its ditties It All Depends on the Point of View it, and t Why He Married Her Why He Divorced Her ER fetching smile. Her fatuous grin. Her helplessness. Her helplessness. : at Her naiveté, Her childishness. ne os wo" The clothes she wore. The clothes she wore, s , * But Her frankness. Her frankness. SRA OP ATPAEIS igion as comicbooks.com