Life, 1918-07-11 · page 17 of 34
Life — July 11, 1918 — page 17: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page discusses American policy toward Russia during World War I, specifically President Wilson's anticipated statement on aid to Russia (expected July 4th). The text references key Russian political figures: Kerensky (who "turned up again" in London—a former provisional government leader), and "Nicholas Longlegs" (apparently a nickname for someone identified with the old imperial order, though the reference is unclear). The cartoon labeled "OUR NEW NAVY" depicts two naval officers. One asks if the other understands a document marked "PRETTY STIFF READING." The joke hinges on the second officer's reply: "I WROTE IT, SIR"—satirizing military bureaucratic writing as incomprehensible even to its own author. This is classic workplace satire about obfuscatory official prose. The broader article argues that despite war's destructiveness, human survival instinct will ultimately drive nations toward sustainable peace and reconstruction rather than endless conflict.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Washington is not yet definite, since its main item is about a piece Mr. Wilson is writing, and in which, on July 4th, perhaps, or sooner, he is expected to say how, in his judgment, we may best help Russia. For that we will try to help Russi and try hard and soon, is already evi- dent. And Mr. Wilson will try to do it in such a way as will least increase Russia’s general dislocation, and most alleviate her miseries. That a new commission will go there is likely enough, for the suggestion of economic relief—railroad repairs, factory recon- struction, agricultural help—cannot be carried out until there is some cer- tainty as to who is going to get the relief. To relieve the Germans in Russia and assist them in dominating the country will not be our govern- ment’s desire, nor yet to boost the Bolsheviki. It is true that Kerensky has turned up again, and has disclosed himself in London, and it is probably true that he is coming here. Of all the Russians, he seems, on the whole, the one who made the best attempt to save the coun- try, and though he failed, he is not too discredited to be tried again. Nicholas Longlegs has always been an attractive figure because he hated the treacherous gang that surrounded the late Czar, hated all corruptionists and slackers, and wanted with all his heart to thrash the Germans. Probably he is too much identified with the oll order—too much a Romanoffi—to be a trusted leader in the making of the new Russia, but when the present veil is lifted the location of Nicholas will be looked for with much interest. If the late Czar has been killed, it is tragical, but not vitally important but that piece of news remains very doubtful. O matters go on, death and destruc- tion crowding life, and life as reso- lutely crowding back and insisting upon survival, Whatever horrors or mas- sacres may remain to befall, the huma race will insist upon going on, and will insist upon a conclusion that will be compatible with continued existence. C— Cine, — OUR NEW NAVY “PRETTY STIFF READING YOU HAVE HERE, MY MAN, CAN YOU UNDERSTAND 1T?”" “YES, “you CAN, EM? WHAT MAKES YOU THINK s¢ 1 WROTE 17, SiR.” The habit of living, of food, clothing and shelter, is stronger in men. than even the present disposition to prema- ture death. The war that seems a pur- suit of destruction is really a pursuit of life. The nations are fighting be- cause they wish for a life that shall be worth the living. So soon as they at- tain to the indispensable political basis to such a life they will turn back their cnergies to provision of all the means to sustain it. We need to remind ourselves of that from time to time. Our world has got a bad disease, but it is not going to die of it.