Life, 1918-09-26 · page 26 of 33
Life — September 26, 1918 — page 26: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains three distinct satirical pieces from 1919, following WWI's conclusion: **Top cartoon**: Mocks domestic role reversals. A henpecked husband welcomes women entering the workforce, hoping his wife will finally do housework—suggesting men used women's domestic duties as an excuse to avoid them. **"Peace Terms"**: Lists the Treaty of Berlin's harsh conditions imposed on Germany: territorial losses, military restrictions (one policeman per 700 inhabitants, armed only with whistles), massive reparations, and colonial surrender. The accompanying cartoon shows a fleeing German prince admitting he abandoned his army to French General Foch—humiliating Germany's military defeat. **"The Effect of Kilts"**: A joke about Scottish Highland dress. A woman questions whether kilts are gentlemanly; a Scotsman responds that German soldiers (Huns) find them so intimidating they "run like hell" when seeing them. It's crude wartime propaganda celebrating Scottish martial reputation over defeated Germans. All three pieces reflect post-war American attitudes: domestic anxiety, German humiliation, and triumphalism over victory.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Friend: WHAT 00 YOU THINK OF THE IDEA OF WOMEN TAKING OVER MEN'S Jons? Mr. Henpeck: GREAT! PERHAPS HENRIETTA WILL WASH THE DISHES AND TAKE CARE OF THE CHILDREN Now Peace Terms Allies an indemnity of twenty billions, payable at the rate . of five billions a year, Germany to be allowed to maintain a police force, to consist. of one policema : for every seven hundred in- ERMANY to give up im- habitants. mediately In addition to All territory outside of the 3 many will be allowee (According to the terms arranged at the Treaty of Berlin, June 13, 1919) German Empire occupied by : tary establishment consisting Germany. . P : of one thousand men, these All claims on the Bolsheviki. R ToBeri 2d, to be equipped only with Alsace and Lorraine. ws EN . whistles and police clubs. Germany's entire fect \ } . All armament to be imme- g { The Effect of Kilts diately turned over to the Allies. b 2 ; 3 AID a critical spinster All colonies to be turned lady to a wounded Scot- over to the Allies a i , tish Highlander, “In my Germany to pay Belgium L opinion, those kilts of yours, an indemnity of five bil- ; } c 1 be considered lion dollars, at the rate of : : y gentlemanly.” five hundred million a * And yet,” answered Don- month; the first install- ONE: OF THE GERMAN RELREATS ‘ald, “the Huns scarcely con- ment, however, to be one General: WHERE ARF YOU GOING, HIGHNESS seeder them ladylike. Ony- billion Prince: WOME TO PAP ai “WHAT ABOUT YOUR ARMY ‘ Germany to pay to the “. LEFT IT WITH FocH.” they see them comin’,” hoo, they rin like hell when