Life, 1918-06-06 · page 16 of 40
Life — June 6, 1918 — page 16: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains satirical commentary on American entry into World War I and post-war diplomacy. **"National Guard"** (poem by Roland F. Andrews): Praises ordinary National Guard soldiers who enlisted without fanfare or formal training ("no degrees up at Plattsburg"), contrasting their quiet service with the bureaucracy of regular military commissions. They're depicted as working-class men ("work-bench and counter") now "holding" trenches "somewhere in France"—a straightforward tribute to unglamorous wartime sacrifice. **"New Allied Diplomacy"**: A scathing list of accusations directed at Germany for the peace negotiations, replacing old diplomatic niceties with blunt recriminations: broken promises, dishonesty, unfair fighting. It reflects American anger toward Germany post-Armistice. **Minor humor pieces**: "Orders!" jokes about a child's demands; the editor exchange mocks delayed airplane production, sarcastically suggesting those causing the delays are "the real enemy." The page reflects 1918-1919 wartime patriotism mixed with home-front frustrations over inefficiency and accountability.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
JUNE MOBILIZATION Captain Dan: sQuap LEFT—MARCH ! National Guard IDN’T know much, but knew some- thing, Learned while the other men played Didn't delay for commissions ; Went while the other men stayed. Took no degrees up at Plattsburg, Needed too soon for the game, Ready at hand to be asked for, Orders said: “Come!"—And_ they came. Didn't get bars on their shoulders, Or three months to see if they could; Didn't get classed with the reg’lars Or told they were equally good. Just got a job and got busy, Awkward they were, but intent, Filing no claim for exemption, Orders said: “Go!"—And they went. Didn't get farewell processions, Didn't get newspaper praise, Didn't escape the injunction To mend, in extenso, their ways. Work-bench and counter and roll-top, Dug in and minding their chance, Orders said: “ First line of trenches!” They're holding them—somewhere in France. Roland F. Andrews. New Allied Diplomacy MARKS that Germany will hear around the peace table, in place of the diplomatic south wind of old, if recent developments mean anything: Did you or didn’t you? Why don't you say what you mean? Don't try to squirm out of it. You have always made a beast of yourself. You don’t know how to fight fair. Nobody has any use for you. Did you ever keep a promise in your life? Your word of honor isn’t worth sour apples, Why don't you try telling the truth occasionally? Orders! OMMY (aged fi for time): Say, mom, throw that cold water faucet into high and gimme a good cold drink. ; in bed; stalling “T DON'T THINK I OUGHT TO LET JOHNNIE TAKE ME TO THE CONSERVATION MEETING” WHY are you so much concerned about your boy?” “He's too trusting. Why, he believes everything that everybody tells him.” “That's nothing. Who can tell? He may grow up some day to be Secretary of War.” IRST EDITOR: Say! The facts about the delay in airplanes may give aid and comfort to the enemy. Srconp Epriok: Well, it won't give much aid and comfort to those who have caused the delay, and maybe they are the real enemy, anyway. comicbook Copsrial 8 a