Life, 1918-11-14 · page 28 of 34
Life — November 14, 1918 — page 28: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page combines practical humor about World War I-era sea travel with political cartoons mocking German leadership and American home-front contributions. **"Preliminary Instruction"** satirizes wartime paranoia by offering absurd "safety tips" for ocean voyages—sleeping in life preservers, practicing high dives from thirty-foot heights, shooting revolvers in pockets—joking about the real dangers of German U-boat torpedoes. **"Kaiser Willie"** section mocks German Emperor Wilhelm II as a defeated aggressor after American entry turned the war's tide ("When the Yankees came across"). **"Vampires"** critiques wealthy socialites who previously defined high society through gossip and scandal but now claim wartime patriotism via Red Cross or Motor Corps service—questioning their sincerity. **"Citations for Stay-at-Homes"** presents caricatured portraits of American civilians who contributed minimally to the war effort (attending dinner parties, buying war stamps belatedly), contrasting them with actual sacrifice. The satire celebrates modest home-front contributions while mocking those claiming undeserved credit.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
‘LTR E* Preliminary Instruction for Those About to Undertake a Sea Voyage P® ARATION for a sea voyage is perhaps more necessary in these days than in more regular times. To enjoy the salubrious air and get the full benefit these hints may be useful: Practice a few wecks beforehand in sleeping in a life-preserver. If you do not happen to have one of these articles in your home, get an ordinary mattress » tie it carefully to your body before retiring for night. A few hougs a day walking in your back yard w ing it will accustom it to your person. Buy a season ticket to any natatorium, and pass a few weeks before your sea voyage practicing the high dive. When you have learned to awaken from a deep slumber, and can jump from your bed and leap with- out any uneasiness down a twenty- or thirty- foot abyss, you will be ready to enjoy your sea voyage. Also practice shooting off a re- volver with your hands in your pockets. In case your boat is torpedoed and you are transferred to the de of a submarine, you can amuse yourself for a few moments by destr ing as ma Uncle Sam: KeEMEMBER, FRITZ, AS FAR AS T AM CONCERNED, THIS i RACE HAS JUST STARTED! uns as possible. Kaiser Willie AISER WILLIE, holy terror, Hinghily Shongon'e, Waged an evil war and cruel, : whe thrashed otutae Dreaming, in conceited error, (ZA secculater in public. Of the nations he would rule. R At the finish Willie's neighbors Truly said, anent his loss, ‘Twas a chilly day for Willie When the Yankees came across. . Washington Hites, 4 Vampires Ce ee k Churahill Rector, who HAT has become of the Vampire? family bo Coney Sdland \, daghe bandsd Concwcd daha Can it be possible that this skill- er «dohaay. se and cant from a chech room ful lady, yesterday considered a neces- s . y without indemrity. sity of modern civilization, will no longer be permitted to exist? Up to a comparatively recent period z J Boo Beet G every village supported at least one , Ya oneeled sary fer? . vampire. Have these ladies all joined Lszutuekay, x the Red Cross or the Motor Corps? If so, are they prepared to come back after the war? Peace and prosperity without their vampires make a sad prospect. Ss . ERE Wes. Daring Hlostio, ~ Clarence Sedfiller, Wie aurnaa amp oP Brook who gare a meatless, wheatltss and who bought a Ws ft stamp from oury Upsorlare diuner-party, jalsaman ee Fifth Aarne. here ain't any such thing. Noone“? nner party nel “e has ever been able to make one. CITATIONS FOR STAY-AT-HOMES comicbooks.com