Life, 1917-09-27 · page 24 of 40
Life — September 27, 1917 — page 24: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains WWI-era political satire attacking Senator Thomas Stone's opposition to U.S. entry into the war. **The Main Article "Pro-Ally or Pro-German?"** argues that Stone—who claimed to have no German sympathies and opposed the war only on principle—was effectively pro-German through his *actions*. The piece sarcastically notes Stone used his finance committee influence to block "unjust taxations of publications," suggesting he prioritized protecting German-sympathetic newspapers over supporting the Allies. The satire's point: professing English heritage while obstructing U.S. aid to Britain equals being pro-German, regardless of one's claims. **The cartoon below** (captioned "When You Are Trying to Change Tires for the First Time in Public") depicts an embarrassed figure struggling with an automobile tire—likely satirizing the awkwardness of appearing incompetent. It appears thematically unrelated to the Stone article but may commentarily suggest similar public embarrassment for those caught between stated principles and actual behavior. **"Superfluous Dialogues"** presents a brief, separate satirical sketch on declining modern manners and civility.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
508 The Conquering Blade AYS the Plow to the Sword, “T must turn into you Till the Hun and his horde For our mercy shall sue.” Says the Sword to the Plow, “T must turn into you, For the battles hang now On what sowers shall do.” So the Sword and the Plow Are become as one blade, That ffie tyrant may bow And the Furrow be made. McLandburgh Wilson. Pro-Ally or Pro-German? e QENATOR STONE says the charge that he is a German sympathizer is “too ludicrous for denial.” There is no German blood in him, he said, and he declared he was willing to go to war to preserve the civilization of the Eng- lish-speaking people of the world, if for a moment he thought it was im- perilled. He admitted that he had op- posed having the United States enter the war, and every day, he said, con- firmed him in the wisdom of that ac- tion. Still, he thought it very wrong of newspapers to call him an obstruc- tionist and an ally of Germany, espe- cially while he was using his influence on the finance committee to prevent what he considered unjust taxations of publications. It is humane of Joel to take thought about the publications, and about that, no doubt, he is right. But as to the other matter, not so. Who is an ob- structionist, if he is not? Who has worked for the German side if not he? If he sincerely thinks he is pro-English and not pro-German, he deceives him- self. By his fruits he must be known and catalogued. If he is favorable to English civilization but opposed to helping to defend it now, he is for Germany. A good many Americans are, or have been, pro-English just about as Mr. Stone is; pro-English enough to resent it if they are called pro-German, but not in favor of helping the Allies. “LIFE ° They protest, as Mr. Stone does, that they have nothing but British blood in them, but if there is anything doing for England they oppose it, and if there is a good grievance against the British that can be worked, they will be found heartily working it. They are not pro- German. Oh, no! Not a German drop in them! They were “neutral” while that was possible, and now they wrap the flag around them and claim to be pro-United States. The way to be for the Allies is to help them. The way to be for English civil- ization is to help to save it. The way to be for the United States is to put in every possible lick for the Allies, and for all of them, There never wiil be a better time to fight to save the civilization of the English-speaking and French-speaking people than the time now present. Come right in, Sen- ator Stone. Come right in now: the water’s fine. It does not do to be pro- Ally by profession, but pro-German by behavior. That will not wash. Yet many self-deceiving persons think it will. Superfluous Dialogues OLLEGE MANNERS met True Courtesy. “Won't you be seated?” said True Courtesy. College Manners lighted a cigarette AVR WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO CHANGE TIRES FOR THE FIRST TIME IN PUBLIC and sat down. He looked hored. He was bored. “What do you want with me?” he asked testily. “Please do not think,” said True Courtesy, “that I am not in sympathy with you. Though I seem old-fash- ioned, my very nature requires me to keep up-to-date, otherwise I could not be true to myself. There is much that is good in you, but the indis- criminate use of motor-cars has, I fear, not added to your stature. An increasing lack of concentration has not added to your sense of respon- sibility, or your thoughtfulness for others. The worst of it is that, while the list of subjects which they teach in college is constantly growing, there is no course in which you appear to re- ceive any instruction. Pardon me for saying so, but at the bottom, this lack of sensitiveness for the rights of others is due, on your part, to a certain igno- rance—" College Manners grinned as he banged the door open. “Me ignorant!” he interrupted. “Well, if that isn’t the limit! Do you suppose I have time to listen to ser- mons? You're a fine judge of a man’s obligations, you are. Cut it out! For- get it! I'm off.” And as he slammed the door behind him, he said: “What bunk!” comicbooks Ear