Life, 1918-11-21 · page 8 of 34
Life — November 21, 1918 — page 8: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains satirical commentary on post-WWI conditions. The top cartoon depicts a military officer telling civilians about fighting men, suggesting recruitment or military readiness themes common during the war period. "The Sweets of Victory" is a nostalgic poem contrasting pre-war luxuries (fancy desserts, fine dining) with current scarcity, reflecting post-war rationing and economic hardship. "The Day's Work" presents dialogue between a Crown Prince and Papa about wartime devastation—bombed hospitals, retreating armies, starving prisoners—indicating this addresses consequences of WWI from a German perspective (the "Crown Prince" likely refers to the Kaiser's son). The final section "Her Sovereign Right" appears to be a separate brief comedic exchange about a cook's departure. Overall, the page satirizes both wartime sacrifice and post-war realities.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“SAY, GEN’RAL, IF YE NEED FIGHTIN’ MEN A "COS THEY AIN'T A BUNCH NOWHERE CAN LICK THEM GUYS. The Sweets of Victory REMEMBER, I remember, The sugarbowl that stood Upon the table, always filled, So he could take who would. I never gave a thought to it, That plenteous sweetness white; But now I miss it every day And dream of it by night! 1 remember, I remember, The toothsome layer-cake With fragrant icing on the top That melted like a flake, The sparkling lumps I used to drop Within my coffee cup. The spoonfuls strewed on cereals And never counted up! I remember, I remember, The cookies crumbly-sweet, The luscious crullers, puddings, pies. Unhooverized, complete I never knew my blessings then; But now—at triumph’s goal, Carved on the arch of Victory, T'll hail the sugarbow!! Priscilla Leonard. M a mechanic, and I’m looking for a job.” “How much money do you want?” “How much have you got?” XY TIME, JUST LEMME KNOW, Permanent Peace Conditions Which Might Be Imposed on a Certain Well Known Country More or Less Inxious to Live Up to Its Ideals NEW school system. The authorship of all war books to be confined to those who have a ally done the fighting. Internment of restaurant proprictors with an indemnity of one billion. Regulation and gradual elimination of loquacious lady who goes about ex- plaining to everyone just what she h: done to help beat the Germans, Deportation and dismemberment of all yellow journalists. Segregation of all prohibitionists to interior of Kansas, An old-age pension system for all professional humorists. A dry Wall Street. Making the intellectual world safe against college professors, The Day's Work HE ALL HIGHE Crown Prince, have you had those aged Belgian peasants shot for insubordi' tion? Crown Prince: Yes, papa. “Have our enemy's base hospitals been thoroughly bombed?” “Yes, papa.” “Are cities we are retreating from being destroyed?” “Yes, papa. “Are our prisoners heing starved and beaten as usual?” AND HIS “Are our soldiers decorating their bayonets with the bodies of Belgian children?” “Yes, papa.” “Are we still shipping the young womanhood of France and Belgium into Germany for slavery and worse?” “Yes, papa.” “Very well, then, tell the staff to come in to prayers.” Her Sovereign Right “NY/HAT happened to your cook? Did she leave? “She abdicated.” comicbooks.com