Life, 1918-10-31 · page 12 of 34
Life — October 31, 1918 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains **wartime propaganda satire from World War I** (indicated by the "German spy" content and patriotic framing). **"How to Catch a German Spy"** mocks German espionage by offering absurdist detection rules: observing waiter punctuality, disappearances, and tipping etiquette as spy indicators. The cartoon below shows a "Maiden Lady (with seasick deck neighbor): sly!" - satirizing paranoid civilian suspicions of ordinary people as potential spies. **"How They Make Bad Little Germans Behave"** depicts German child-rearing, using crude ethnic stereotyping to portray German parenting as harsh discipline. The **"Query"** section humorously asks "Who is the most modest man in the United States?" while listing political/theatrical figures, ultimately suggesting no one truly embodies modesty. This reflects America's WWI-era spy hysteria and anti-German sentiment, using humor to reinforce patriotic vigilance and mock both German spies and German culture.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
To LIFE’S Readers IFE begs the indulgence of its readers for any departure from its usual high mechanical excel- lence that they may notice. In cheerful and patriotic compliance with the war orders of the Government, we are obliged to use materials giving results not up to our standard, We feel sure that our patriotic readers will bear with Lire until it is permitted to return to its former condition of pulchritude, How to Catch a German Spy ei ERMAN spies are said to be masquerading as waiters in the high-priced restaurants. To unmask them, fol- low these few simple rules: When you have selected your table, observe whether or not your waiter puts in an appearance within a reasonable time. If he does, this fact alone should make you deeply suspicious. No genuine waiter does such a thing. Should your servitor now vanish for twenty minutes be- fore bringing the menu, consider his former efficiency as HOW THEY MAKE BAD LITTLE GERMANS BEHAVE. “DER AMERICANERS 'LL GET YOU, IF YOU DOND'T WATCH oUpT!” an oversight. Accidents will happen. To make sure of your man, try to catch his eye during the meal. The real thing always absconds or stands at the remotest point of the dining-room, carefully looking away until hunger forces you to send for him. As a final test, give the suspect a tip of exactly ten per cent. of your bill. 1f by any chance he utters an audible “Thank you,” have the impostor arrested. No further proof is necessary. Query HO is the most modest man in the United States? For the best answer to this question the following prizes will be awarded: First prize: One poteto. Second prize: One pint of pea coal. Among so many candidates to this supreme honor the task of selection will be found extremely difficult. It would seem that the first blue ribbon should go to Mr. Baker. But then there are Mr. Hearst, Mr. Munsey and Colonel Roose- velt. The theatrical profession also offers a vast field. True modesty should not be confounded with the quality Maiden Lady (with seasick deck neighbor): uv! of taking oneself seriously. Mr. Hearst, for example, ow SELIEBTIELEY ROMANE! fo Gutke 1 ioUD does not take himself seriously, and yet nobody would con- RECEIVE TIS ATTENTION FROM A TCTAL STRANGER! tend that he isn’t modest. comicbooks.com