Life, 1918-09-26 · page 10 of 33
Life — September 26, 1918 — page 10: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two satirical pieces about World War I: **"When the Boys Come Back"** critiques how returning soldiers will be evaluated—politicians will demand soldiers' service records and accomplishments, while questioning their valor and contributions. The satire suggests this interrogation will be difficult to manage fairly. **"The Fall of Berlin"** depicts German prisoners of war in Berlin being put to work cleaning the Imperial Palace courtyards. The cartoon satirizes the irony of defeated enemies laboring in the enemy's capital. The accompanying "Commanding General" orders are absurdist military humor, mocking military bureaucracy through exaggerated, contradictory commands about prisoner treatment. Both pieces reflect American WWI-era attitudes toward soldiers' homecoming and enemy occupation.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
442 When the Boys Come Back T is not too early to start a national organization of those who have seen service in France. It is not improbable that this will number at least four mil- lions. Every man who has given his actual service and risked his life for his coun- try should have his voice in its man- agement. Every politician must re- ceive his quietus. The women who have served their country in France should also have their say. Those who have done should take precedence over those who might, could, would or should have done. It will be in order at the termination of the war to ask every man: What did you do? Did you side-step? Did you talk big and do little? What did you actually give up? What is your record? These records are now heing made. To evade them will be impossible— when the boys come back. The Fall of Berlin As It Will Be Reported in the Berlin “ Rottenblatt” ESTERDAY afternoon a handful of Entente prisoners were brought into our aesthetic city and at once put to work polishing the stones in the courtyard of the Imperial Palace, where they will be tolerated till the re- turn of the royal family from their hunting trip in parts unknown Berliners are urged not to abuse these foreigners too coarsely, should they chance to meet one or two of them Unter den Linden or at the Tiergarten, as it is apparent that they have no sense of humor. Probably the most efficient way to treat them would be to cross’ the street at their approach. s a public expression of the nausea we experience at the presence of these effeminate swine in our midst, the fear- less editors of this daring paper have decided to suspend publication indefin- itely, FAs LER (to newly arrived farmer- ette): Can you milk a cow, miss? FarMerette: I am willing to try you can pick out a nice mild one. The Eldest: you come away FROM HERE QUICK. bIYOU WANTA GET ARRESTED AS GERMAN SPIES? THOSE SENSIBLE UNIFORMS. Commanding General: MY ORDERS ARE THAT YOU LEAD YOUR COMMAND AGAINST THE ENEMY AT CAMBRAI, CAPTURE HILL No, 037, SWIM THE RIVER AT HIRSON, REDUCE THE BATTERIES AT CIVET AND BLOW UP THE RAILROAD AS FAR AS DINANT, AND UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES ARE YOU TO LOOSEN YOUR COLLAR OR UNBUTTON YOUR TUNIC, AS T HAVE STRICT ORDERS FROM WASHINGTON TO SEE THAT YOU ARE KEPT UNCOMFORTABLE AT ALL TIMES.