Life, 1918-06-13 · page 15 of 36
Life — June 13, 1918 — page 15: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes German propaganda and anti-German sentiment during World War I. The main cartoon "Home on Furlough" depicts a large German soldier surrounded by smaller dogs, mocking German militarism and suggesting Germans are beast-like or animalistic. The text story "He Was Very Careful" presents a dialogue between a German propagandist and another man, discussing threats and property destruction—likely referencing German sabotage activities or propaganda tactics in America during WWI. "The Chickens Start to Return" discusses poison gas warfare, blaming Germany for its widespread use and predicting long-term consequences for German civilians. The final cartoon depicts a German-American figure ("My Country, 'Tis of Thee" parody), satirizing divided loyalties during wartime. This reflects American suspicion of German-American citizens' patriotism during the war.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Passes Monson W HOME ON He Was Very Careful “NJOTHING can happen to you.” The man who stood in front of one of the leaders of the pro-German propaganda moved uneasily. “You want me to bomb factories, to destroy property, if necessary to com- mit murder in this country,” he said, “and you think nothing can happen to me.” “Well, my dear fellow,” replied the other man, “what can happen to you? You plant a bomb. You are caught. The worst thing they would do to you would be to intern you. And in Amer- ica being interned is distinctly a pleas- ant process—a fine way to spend a FURLOUGI vacation. Nine-tenths of all the peo- ple in this country who are now strug- gling to make both ends meet would like to be interned by the government on the same basis as the pro-Ger- mans.” “But some angry citizens might pos- sibly catch me.” Nonsense! Even the law protects you against them. “Would they be actually punished if they did anything to me?” “Dear me, yes!) They would be pub- licly reprimanded—and that, you know, is considered quite severe in this coun- try.” “Well, I will think it over and let you know next week.” ‘ 951 In a week the man returned. Salut- ing, he said: “All right, sir, I'll take the job.” The leader put down his name. “Very well,” he said. “But, my friend, there's one thing I don’t under- stand. Why did you wait a week be- fore accepting the safest job in the world?” “Well, si went out and bombed a few first.” The Chickens Start to Return T is claimed that poison used with such profusion by the Germans that it has drifted back and Rhine towns; this same , I wanted to be sure, so T places gas has been caused illness in many and it is safe to say th: poison gas will be causing excessively uncomfortable sensations throughout Germany for the next few generations whenever the remember what the rest of the world thinks of them for using it. Germans Morro for Washington legislators : Investigation is the thief of time. eS To “MY COUNTRY, 'TIS OF THEE” (German-American Version) My country over sea, Deutschland, is sweet to me; To thee I cling. For thee my honor died, For thee I spied and lied, So that from every side Kultur might ring. comicbooks.com