Life, 1917-08-23 · page 30 of 40
Life — August 23, 1917 — page 30: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This allegorical piece uses personified natural elements (Air, Earth, Sea) to satirize World War I neutrality debates. The Earth and Sea claim they cannot favor either side—they are "only mediums" bound to impartiality. The Air, however, acknowledges complicity in wartime atrocities (aerial bombardment of civilians) but deflects responsibility to "the man higher up." The satire's punch: the Air then pivots to urge **America** to build the largest air fleet and enter the war, claiming only America can "wisely" use such power. This mocks the contradiction—entities claiming neutrality while actively advocating intervention. The repeated "Hurry, America! Hurry!" emphasizes propaganda pressure on the United States to abandon neutrality and join the Allied cause. The cartoons below (showing domestic scenes) appear unrelated.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
310 “LIFE: ' A Message from the Air TH Air, the Earth and the Sea met and talked it over. “T've been looking at you,” said the Air to the Earth and the Sea, “and have come to the conclusion that it is up to you, either individually or collectively, to end this war.” “We can really do nothing,” said the Earth, “ because, you sce, we are only mediums. We have to be as fair to one combatant as to the other. I cannot make it any harder for a German to dig a trench in me than for a Britisher.” And I,” marines alik “That is precisely the way I feel,” said the Air. “Through me have been committed some dreadful deeds— the killing of many innocent women and children. I am, as you declare, also obliged to be impartial. But, between you two, can’t you start something worth while? Couldn't eZ oa X aid the Sea, “am obliged to treat all sub- EE WHIZ, MISTER! IF YE WANT ME TO HOLD 'IM ANY LONGER YOU'LL HAFTA COME 'EKE AN’ HELPL” you double the output of the crops, or possibly change the chemical quality of water so that it would turn the balance against the vessels of one nation and not of another?” “No,” said the th and Sex emphatically. “ We have no will of our own. We are only agents of Omnipotence. You must appeal to the man higher up—and you are in a position to do it.” The Air turned a deeper blue with thought, and then ex- JOB PRINTING claimed: “ My friends, you are right! It was all my fault, after all. I've been so much occupied with wireless mes- sages and other vulgar vibrations that I haven't realized my responsibilities.” Then, turning to America, the air whispered: “ America, swiftly build the largest fleet of airplanes in the world. Thou, America, of all nati ‘an be entrusted to use them—through me—most wisely, most swiftly. And when thou doest this, O America, come to me, and through me thou shalt win the war,” And then the air vibrated, yet more sternly, “ Hurry, America! Hurry! Hurry!” T. LM, DADDY LONG LEGS 1S OUT FOR A THIKTY-MILE RUN, AND. CAN'T GET HIS LEGS INSIDE THE CAR comicbooks Eeray