Life, 1918-02-07 · page 24 of 40
Life — February 7, 1918 — page 24: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains American political satire from World War I, mocking Germany's situation and policies. **"Disappointing Her Friends"** (left cartoon): Criticizes the American Red Cross for donating $100,000 to fund animal experimentation by scientists, depicting this as a betrayal of humanitarian principles. **"Forecast for February"**: Satirical predictions about post-war conditions, including peace talks from Germany and the Kaiser "insulting God"—mocking German leadership's hubris. **"A Ballade of Berlin"** (main poem): A biting critique of German civilian oppression during WWI. It describes starvation, poor conditions, and a reward for informants reporting disloyalty—reflecting actual German censorship laws. The refrain "they won't let us growl in Berlin" emphasizes suppression of free speech. Civilians must appear happy despite suffering, or face accusations of treason. **"A Military Blunder"**: A joke where a waiter serves old "war bread" too deteriorated for active service—mocking Germany's food shortages and poor provisions. The page overall satirizes German wartime hardship, authoritarian control, and military failure.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION DISAPPOINTIN' Forecast for February A’ average of twenty-cight and three-tenths persons to the square mile will wish they had worn their overshoes. Peace talk will emanate from Ger- many. The Crown Prince will fail again. o a iG HER FRIENDS At the instigation of certain vivisectors the American Red Cross has given $100,000 of its money toward a laboratory where certain “ scientists” may experiment on living animals. The Senate will investigate some- thing. William Gibbs McAdoo will preside at a committee meeting. The Kaiser will insult God. Wall Street will hope for better things. Lire will print something with which you don’t agree. A Ballade of Berlin Rewarp! Three thousand marks to anyone giving information of per- sons who say anything against the Government, the Emperor, the War or the Officers—Placord posted in Berlin, E have lacked hearty food for a year: We are living on sawdust and hay: We no longer get Muenchner beer, And our boot-soles are papier maché: All our clothes are extremely passée, And our babies are sickly and thin, Yet we all must be happy and gay; For they won't let us growl in Berlin, Though starvation and ruin be near, We must show not a trace of dismay: If we did, we would end our career In some highly unpopular way ; For whatever we might chance to say : Would be viewed as a traitorous sin; So we're silent by night and by day, For they won't let us growl in Berlin. They will only allow us to cheer For the War, or for idols of clay: Not a word must we utter or hear Against those who are leading the fray; So our speech becomes dingy and gray; And although we should lose, draw or win We will suffer from vocal decay, For they won't let us growl in Berlin. Envoi Since it costs too much not to obey, We must twist up our lips in a grin While our princes and generals bray— For they won't let us growl in Berlin. Kenneth L, Roberts. A Military Blunder € HAT is this, wai “ War bread, sir.” “Hang it! It’s too old entirely for active service.” PPOSE a woman and she will hate you; yield to her and she will despise you.