Life, 1918-07-25 · page 21 of 36
Life — July 25, 1918 — page 21: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page from Life magazine contains WWI-era satirical content: **"The Little Hoosier"** cartoon depicts Major General William L. Sibert, praised for fully committing his family to the war effort—he and all six sons (five biological, one adopted) serve. The text coins the term "siberter" to mock civilians who only partially support the war while complaining loudly, contrasting them with Sibert's complete family sacrifice. **"Hoping for the Best"** features Professor Highbrowe spouting pseudo-intellectual philosophy about morality requiring peace, while his pragmatic friend Castleton sardonically hopes the professor's lecture profits will finally make him act morally—mocking academic pretension disconnected from action. **"The Maxim Kid"** cartoon shows a child asking his father to let them sneak out while mother sleeps, likely satirizing Americans attempting to avoid war obligations or rationing regulations through sneaky means. All three pieces use satire to pressure Americans toward greater wartime commitment and sacrifice.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
THE LITTLE HOOSIER Are You a Siberter > TTING into the war bears a superficial resemblance to surf bathing. Some people put one toe into the war, wriggle it around and scream loudly as the little shivers run up their backbone. Other people plunge in all over and strike out without a sound, Of the latter class Major General William L. Sibert is a shining example. The general has five sons and one adopted son. If his family flies a service flag it is decorated with seven stars: one for the general, five for his sons and one for his adopted son; for all of them are in the service. To those who are only partly in the war, and who are screaming about their partial immersion, we wish to point out General Sibert and urge that they become siberters while the siberting is good. Hoping for the Best ROFESSOR HIGHBROWE: Yes, sir! I hold with Herbert Spencer that sensation is above the mere heterogeneous process of ratiocination and that absolute morality can only begin when the struggle for existence has ceased. CastLeton (a matter-of-fact business friend): Well, then, professor, let us sincerely hope that the proceeds of your next lecture tour will make an honest man out of you. THE MAXIM KID “ SAY, FATHER, MOTHER'S ASLFFP! our Now?” CAN'T WE SNEAK