Life, 1917-12-27 · page 18 of 41
Life — December 27, 1917 — page 18: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page from Life magazine (likely WWI-era, given references to Germany winning the war and the Bolsheviki) mixes patriotic content with political satire. The "Marching Song" poem celebrates military duty during wartime. The main satire, "What We May Believe If We Accept War Rumors," mockingly lists absurd claims—many targeting American political figures and policies. It suggests accepting war rumors requires believing impossible things: that prohibition works in Maine, that German diplomats are trustworthy, that anti-war politician La Follette is patriotic, that William Randolph Hearst (a sensationalist publisher) would become religious, and that Germany will win. The final item about "a certain lady" getting new furs sarcastically implies war profiteering or indifference to sacrifice. The bottom comics are lighter humor: a child using a baseball mask to avoid spanking, and flirtation dialogue. The page uses satire to critique those spreading unfounded war rumors and perceived hypocrisy among public figures.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Marching Song L T us awhile forget the lute and viol, Their tender, low refrains; More fitting far in this, our time of trial, The sterner, graver strains! There is no hour for brooding upon beauty . Beneath calm skies and clear ; There is an hour for sacrificial duty, And, lo, that hour is here! Hark! tis the bugle resonant and ring- ing Again and yet again! Let every patriot heart go forward * singing With our brave marching men! Clinton Scollard. What We May Believe If We Accept War Rumors nar nobody has been intoxicated in Maine since 1865. That German diplomats are kindly, honorable and trustworthy. That the utterances of Robert M. La Follette are patri- otic and worthy of consideration. ‘ That Kerensky has been made president of the Standard Oil Company. That Tammany Hall intends to unite with the Civic Purity League. That Josephus Daniels is advocating the construction of a national brewery. That William Randolph Hearst will turn his publications into religious journals. That the Bolsheviki will rule Russia in a practical, capa- ble and efficient manner. That Germany will win the war. ‘A CERTAIN LADY WE DO NOT CARE TO NAME, IS GOING TO HAVE A NEW SET OF FURS THIS WINTER “CYVICK, nurse! Boy or girl?” “One of ’em's a boy.” WILLIE, WHO HAS BEEN READING ABOUT CAMOUFLAGE, ATTEMPTS TO DIVERT THE SPANKING TO A PART PROTECTED BY A BASEBALL MASK. E (flushing): 1 made a bet with a fellow to-night that 1 could—er—kiss you, and I feel ashamed of myself. I ought not to have put it on such a low basis. Sue (haughtily): I agree with you. I have a great mind not to let you win, comicbooks.¢omy