Life, 1919-02-27 · page 14 of 38
Life — February 27, 1919 — page 14: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes **Albert of Belgium** (ruled 1909-1934) during World War I. The central cartoon depicts the Belgian king amid destruction—a ruined building and angel overhead—responding defiantly to Prussian threats. The accompanying poem praises Albert's resistance against German occupation, portraying him as a noble monarch fighting "with his men" rather than surrendering. The lower cartoons show contrasting American responses: New Yorkers enthusiastically welcoming returned soldiers, and a "Reception Committee" of dogs greeting a soldier's boot. The satire celebrates Belgian courage while subtly mocking American civilian enthusiasm—suggesting their support, while heartfelt, lacks the actual sacrifice soldiers endured. The page presents wartime propaganda celebrating Allied leadership.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
‘LIFE: WHY SAMY WOULD LIKE TO RE AN ANGEL FOR HLMLI AS THE SOLDIER SEES IT, UPROARIOUSLY ENTHUSIASTIC NEW YORKERS WATCHING PARADE OF KETURNED SOLDIERS a Albert of Belgium Liége, 1ig—Brussels, 118 “THESE plaudits are mine!" cries the Prussian in wrath; rey are mine—I the battles have won My siege guns shall sweep every foe from my path, And for me make a place in the sun. My seal I have set—then acknowledge my sway!" He pauses as trophies they bring : But confounded he hears from the masses the cheers Lauding Albert of Belgium—a King. * Albert of Belgium!” he cries in disdain; “He is paltry—a monarch forlorn The fall of Liége saw the last of his reign— From his shoulders the ermine is torn. He is writhing in exile—his country is waste; L hold her—a quivering thing!" But again comes amaze as he hearkens the praise, All for Albert of Belgium—a King. “You fought with machines!” eries a voice in the crowd; “His kingdom you won—but what then? Your might had enwrapped his fair land in a shroud But 'twas Albert who fought with his men! ‘Twas flesh that he pitted against your siege guns From defeat does his victory spring— For your torch lit the fame that has burnished the name Of Albert of Belgium—a King!” Mabel Haughton Collyer AS the ordinary layman sees the peace squabble, there are not cnough natural boundaries to go around THE RECEPTION COMMITTEE