Life, 1917-07-05 · page 38 of 40
Life — July 5, 1917 — page 38: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical piece mocks German Kaiser Wilhelm II's aggressive foreign policy during World War I. The joke presents the Kaiser obsessively consulting his chancellor about which nations remain to insult or attack. When the chancellor confirms that virtually every nation on Earth—from major powers to tiny ones like Monaco and Oman—has already declared war on Germany in response to German provocations, the Kaiser despairs that he's run out of enemies to antagonize. The satire targets Germany's systematic antagonism of neutral and allied nations throughout WWI. By treating diplomatic insults as a checklist to complete, the cartoon ridicules the Kaiser's belligerent approach and suggests his expansionist aggression has isolated Germany completely. The exaggeration emphasizes how thoroughly German policy had alienated the world. The cartoon is by K.L. Roberts and likely dates to 1915-1918.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Bot HE BELBER art of bag making expressed in Du Pont Fabtikoid, es Craftsman Quality—the best grade | of Fabrikoid made. Each individual | style of bag or suit case the epitome of 4 bag making skill—each exhibiting all of those little niceties of workmanship—of V finish—that so unmistakably define real ~< H quality—and each bearing the two quality trade marks: OU PONT eB -D ourwe RArTSMAN auaure Sixteen styles for men and women $7.50 to $12.00 At the feet The Belber Trunk and Bag Co. Kensington, Philadelphia, Pa. WOMAN'S SUIT CASE No, 683-Black No. 687-Brown 0 eftect. It ereas Fitall sit pose own telit erties 20 and 22 inch - $10.00 Large 24 inch size, $11.00 Of Course Because it is the acknowledged banquet water—the home fa- vorite—and most popular in the clubs—try it yourself. dD 15 grains of Lithia Salts f to the gallon. Sold everywhere in splits, pints and quarts only. Don’t accept ordinary waters. Insist on . genuine The End of Everything HE Kaiser bit nervously at his finger nails. “Are you sure, Bethmann,” he asked his chancellor, “that we have insulted every nation on the face of the ery one, your majesty,” replied the chancellor # morocco-bound notebook. impressively, after consult “Only yesterday we outrs lifeboat in which were thr arms, All of them were killed. n by shelling an open mese ladies with babes in ed $ With a smothered curse the Kaiser strode to a map of the world and ran his finger over its surface in serpentine lines. “How about Abyssinia, Bethmann?” he asked plaintive- ly, “How about Annam, Bokhara, Bolivia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Hayti, Monaco, Oman, Tunis, Uruguay and Zanzibar? Have all of these been insulted? “All, sire!” insisted the chancellor. “ AIL have declared war on you in reply to the indignities which have been heaped upon them. If you can find me a nation that you haven't grossly insulted, I'l cat it!” The Kaiser dropped heavily into a chair and drummed ass with his finge aid he wearily, “stop the the devil's tattoo on his silver cu "In that case, Bethman war, It isn’t any fun unless T can defy international law by outraging new Realizing th into tears, threw himself on the floor and howled dismally. K. 1. Roberts he was at last defeated, the Kaiser burst HILE 1 was sojourning at the Court of Erauce 1 observed that the Dauphin, who later became the most glorious King of that country, invariably ordered Lire in advance from the royal bookseller. Lord Chathamsquare. Reminiscences of 1 WONDER IF IT'S A “THAT'S A NICE LOOKING CAR, JIMMY, GOOD HILL-CLIMBER.” WHY DON'T YOU ASK HIM? comicbook “THERE'S THE SALESM , POR, € iH