Life, 1918-07-11 · page 33 of 34
Life — July 11, 1918 — page 33: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This poem depicts three German-American soldiers—Schneider, Schwartz, and Schmitt—discussing their conscription into the American military during World War I. They acknowledge the irony and tragedy of their position: as men of German heritage, they're now fighting against Germany, shedding blood "by quarts" at the Kaiser's former command structure. The satire centers on their conflicted loyalty and the painful reality of immigrant soldiers. They express both resignation ("No German would ever quit") and yearning for peace. The final exchange suggests that Republican ideals—"what we'll say"—offer hope for ending the conflict. This reflects the genuine tension faced by German-Americans during WWI: patriotic service to their adopted country while emotionally torn from their heritage. The poem validates their sacrifice while subtly critiquing the absurdity of nationalist warfare that demands their blood despite their divided allegiances.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The Fighting Race “Well, here's to the Maine, and I'm sorry for Spain,’ Said Kelly and Burke and Shea.” ‘AD out the names!” Joseph 1, C. Clarke. R sat back, and Schmitt And Schneider dropped his head; While Schwartz, with brow downcast and black, Went down the list of dead. Saxons, Bavarians, from the Rhine— From the plains and the topmost hills: Dead with their breasts on the shell- scarred line Where the War-God raves and kills. Then, eyeing the foam on his mug of beer, Said Schwartz of the stolid wit: “We're all in that dead man's list, I fear: Schneider and Schwartz and Schmit “We're the Kaiser's tools and I think we're fools,” Said Schneider Schmitt. men and Schwartz and “The Schneiders are said Schwartz, Said Schneider: true; But we Schneiders shed our blood by quarts When the Kaiser tells ust “That's right,” said Schmitt; just the same: We only stop for death: At the Kaiser’s word we march through flame, So long as we've “Why, yes.” that! No German would ever quit; A VICTORY DRINK men of peace words are “Your “we're ht and breath.” said Schwartz, “we all do Evans NON-INTOXICATING License Required A practical and substantial means for meeting . war-time measures while comforting yourse Up-to-Date Grocers, Druggists and Dealers ¢. H. EVANS & SONS Established 178% = HUDSON, N. Y- Saratoga Springs, N. Y. UNITED STATES HOTEL Famous for a generation OPEN JULY 1st 900 Sleeping Chambers Jazz Band Under direction of J. C. LA VIN Formerly Manager : Copley Plaza Hotel, Boston Hotel Taft, New Haven Dancing LOE Ooo LW ShaitThis Cox | Rayntite Top Mater |Crattaman Address. oe. City. Visit the Da Pont Prod: j OOOO Ons Ae a But we stand for home and peace: flat— Schneider and Schi “Yet we fight id die, know why,” Said Schneider and Schwartz and Schmitt. 1105 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N. J. tz and Schmitt.” and we don’t Trapshooting is great practice for buth experts and beginners and develops crack field shots,” HERE is no limit of season, law or time. There is no long distance journey to the shooting grounds. There is never the dis- appointment of not finding game. TRAPSHOOTING is always ready at every shooting club. Clay birds are plentiful—ready with their speedy flight and vexing turns to give you more gun thrills to the minute than any “feathered” game can give. Every-man—every woman should know how to shoot and “hit” what they shoot at. The gun club is the place to learn this democratic, patriotic sport. Find out how—now. Check trapshooting in the coupon-—mail it to us and get all the facte. E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS & CO. Established 1802 WILMINGTON DELAWARE The Du Pont American Industries are: E 1. du Pont de Nemours & Co., Wilmington, Del. Pont Chemical Works, Equitable Bidg., N. ¥. Del Pont Fabrikoid Company, ‘Wilmington. o: Alingtoa Works, 725 way, NY, . leued Cinailas Ci jvory Pyralin and Cleanable Collars Harrison Works, Philadelphia, Pa... Paints, Piaments, Acids and Chemieals Be'Pom Dye Werte Witsigten: Da, Pet: Piemrets Ao os here DOO En | “Go forth and burn ané kill And get a bullet in chest or knee": My pleasure in that is nil!” “Ah, well,” said Schwartz, “there's just one way To make them stop a bit: The German Republic is that’s what we'll “It’s peace for me in the years to come!” s: Said Schwartz with a firm-set jaw. and drum. “or to martial law shall say “TH hark no more to the fif Said Schmitt, “No man.” said Schneider, to me: Schneider and Schwartz and Schmitt!" “There'll be some done!" Schneider Schmitt. fun when the war is Said and Schwartz and comicbooks.com CO SOE ET COO EO STO OOO ESTEE OOO