Life, 1917-05-10 · page 18 of 46
Life — May 10, 1917 — page 18: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This Life magazine page (circa WWI era) contains three distinct pieces: **"Is It True—"** presents a chain of anxious "what-ifs" about German U-boats starving Britain into surrender, potentially forcing Britain's fleet to Germany and leaving America vulnerable. The rhetorical questions escalate to argue Americans should prepare defensively—this reflects genuine WWI anxieties about submarine warfare. **The cartoon** satirizes Theodore Roosevelt ("the Colonel") as a cult figure. It shows him as a charismatic alternative to the Wilson administration's serious war mobilization efforts. The comparison to medieval devotion to the Virgin Mary suggests Roosevelt offers emotional comfort and "sporting" adventure rather than disciplined sacrifice—allowing supporters to feel patriotic without genuine commitment. **"Orators Wanted"** criticizes old-style bombastic public speakers as obsolete. The piece calls for new orators trained in clear thinking and straightforward communication, contrasting this with outdated "spread-eagle" patriotic rhetoric. This likely references frustration with both pro-war propaganda and pacifist oratory during WWI debates. The page reflects American society divided over war preparedness and leadership.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
854 Is It True— HAT the possibility of En ing starved out by the Germa submarine is by no means so remote as it seems? That in case this should happen, the English and French victories on land would count for less? That if the submarine wins, Ger- many might force Great Britain to give up her fleet? That with Great Britain's fleet out of the way (or on Germany's side) Amer- ica would be the next victim? That if all this did happen, as it might, it would happen within the next nine months? That if it did happen, it would be impossible to stop it, as we should be utterly unprepared? That in case it should happen, there is any reason to suppose Germany would treat us any better than she has treated England? That if all this should happen, the disaster to America would be so great that however remote the possibility, we ought to do all we can to make that possibility impossible ? TLL. M. The Cult of Teddy H' RY ADAMS says the cult of the Virgin, with resulting Notre Dame cathedrals, grew up in France in the twelfth century because she ap- pealed to the Middle Age mind as a means of circumventing the austere justice of the at Powers of the Trinity. They were just, but she was indulgent Just so, now, the Colonel appeals to persons who shrink from the tedious exactions of the administration's war plan. By going with Teddy you have a sporting time and still save your credit and your soul. Circumstances have changed a good ANOTHER TRAGEDY OF THE WAR THE GERMAN BAND IS FORCED TO PUT IN A NEW LINE Of deal since the twelfth century, but man not much old orators are no longer interesting or — spread-eagle, frothy methods which adequate to the needs of the times. — specialized in filigree and piffle. Apply Orators Wanted While they were talking they could not at once. Reference require |. Appli- NTED — Orators. Thousands think. The need is for new orators — cants must know how to talk, and must needed. Right away. All kinds. who have been thinking and learning know what they are talking about. All Public orators. Banquet orators. Sci- while the old ones were talking and platitudes, long-winded anecdotes and entific orators. Every part of the forgetting. The need is also for new moth-eaten stories barred. Address country. Owing to rapid change in and straightforward methods with a Constant Listener, Row 1, Seat 16, conditions and in public sentiment, the solid background, ‘as opposed to the old Auditorium. comichooks.