Life, 1918-04-11 · page 17 of 44
Life — April 11, 1918 — page 17: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This WWI-era satirical dialogue mocks German-American immigrants' patriotism and financial transparency. The cartoon depicts "Conensburg" (a Germanic name) and his wife Rachel discussing Liberty Bond purchases and Red Cross donations "somewhere in France." The satire operates on multiple levels: Conensburg initially resists registering bonds to hide his wealth from authorities, speaks in a German dialect ("vy not?"), and only agrees to generous donations after his wife prods him—revealing self-interest masquerading as patriotism. His final declaration ("we must win this war!") rings hollow given his earlier reluctance. The implicit message reflects wartime suspicion of German-Americans: their loyalty is questionable, their wealth potentially concealed, and their patriotic gestures performative rather than genuine. The piece plays on contemporary anxieties about immigrant assimilation and divided loyalties during America's WWI involvement. The page's second item, "My War Girl," appears an unrelated advertisement or specification list.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
SOMEWHERE IN FRANCE “OH, WHERE DID YOU GET ALL THOSE “ PRESENTED TO ME BY THE OWNER: Liberty Bonds. We don't have to worry some now; you might as well invest in a good security, then they won't know how much money you have when they aren't regis- tered, Conenpurc: Sure! (He relapses slightly into the dia- lect he was familiar with twenty years ago.) 1 buy Liberty Bonds, vy not?) By der way, Rachel, I saw der Red Cross committee coming out of der house just now, Mrs. Cournnurc: Yes. I told them to put us down for a subscription for fifty dollars. Conensure (warmly My! Rachel, that was generous of you, and before you knew how much I'd made! Mrs. Conenxsurc: Oh, well, we must stand by the coun- eNBURG: Good! That's the way I like the women to. talk. And what do you say now to making it one hundred dollars? Think, Rachel. Mrs. Conexnerc: You sure you got that eight hundred thousand dollars? HELMETS?" te, Conensurc: Sure I have. In five banks. Mrs. Conennurc: Well, I tell you what. I'll telephone the committee to make it seventy-five dollars, That'll make ‘em feel good, anyway. And by and by, when we think it over, maybe we make it one hundred dollars. Conennerc (firmly): No, Rachel! My mind is made up. I go the limit. Make it one hundred dollars. Remember, Rachel, we must win this war! Tock Af My War Girl Specifications LWAYS cheerful; plain cheeks without paint or pow- der; clear blue eyes; severe lines; capable of working sense of humor; sweet smile; affectionate travels under the motto: “Win ten hours a da disposition; a good sport; the war first.” And then—? “Here comes the bride comicbooks:com