Life, 1917-08-02 · page 23 of 40
Life — August 2, 1917 — page 23: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a satirical story using the Aladdin magic-lamp framework to critique post-WWI peace efforts. Aladdin orders a genie-slave to eliminate the Kaiser, then von Hindenburg, then the Prussian military system—each time conditions remain "about the same," mocking the idea that removing individual leaders solves fundamental problems. When finally ordered to accomplish *real* peace, the slave lists impossibly idealistic reforms: restoring Belgium, destroying all weapons worldwide, creating international governance, establishing democracy in Germany, forming an international police force, and stabilizing Russia. The final joke targets **Josephus Daniels** (U.S. Secretary of the Navy during WWI), sarcastically congratulating him for ending the war—implying that despite grand political gestures and military victory, the actual conditions for lasting peace remained unachieved. The satire suggests that winning a war militarily doesn't automatically create the political/social transformation necessary for genuine peace.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Pe ee Sethe xterminate the Kaiser.” The slave, reappearing later, said: “It is done.” “Well, how is everything now?” asked Aladdin. “About the same as before, your honor.” “Umph! slave reappeared “And things: Are just about the same.” “Dear! Dear! military system. Half an hour passed. Then exterminate von Hindenburg.” The er and said: “ Order executed.” Well, then, exterminate the Prussian TO BE A LADY-KILLER The Victor LADDIN, having rubbed the lamp, said to the slave: WHO KILLED HEN-RoBID “ER—-NOT A THING—NOT A THING!” 183 “Done, Highness.” “How is everything “No marked change. Aladdin wrote. “Here,” he said, “take this, and follow it literally.” The slave vanished. One hour later he reappeared, with a smile “Well, what did you do?” The slave said: “I restored Bel- gium ; destroyed every ammunition and armament plant in Germany; created an International Congress; put an in- demnity of twenty billions on the Ger- man people; made them into a democ- racy; destroyed the armaments of all other nations; created an international police force of one hundred thousand men; eliminated all submarines, and presented Russia with a stable consti- tution. Anything more, Highness?” Aladdin considered. “Why, yes,” he said, “you might drop in on Josephus Daniels and con- gratulate him on having brought the war to a successful finish.” comicbooks.com