Life, 1919-03-27 · page 30 of 44
Life — March 27, 1919 — page 30: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two distinct pieces of anti-European sentiment from the post-WWI era: **"Longing"** (poem by Berton Braley): A satirical portrayal of American soldiers or expatriates in Europe complaining about European conditions—lack of familiar food, poor heating, rationing—and yearning to return home to American comfort and abundance. It mocks homesickness while subtly asserting American superiority. **"Abolish the Whisper!"**: A political commentary criticizing backroom diplomacy and secret negotiations, referencing figures like Kitchin (likely Representative Claude Kitchin) and George Creel (WWI propagandist). The piece argues that wars and poor policies result from hidden wheeling-and-dealing rather than public debate. **"Suggestion for Subway Relief"**: A crowded cartoon proposing sardonic "relief" by physically compressing subway passengers together—dark humor about urban overcrowding. The overall message reflects post-war American isolationism and skepticism toward both European conditions and secretive government dealings.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Longing Wail of the European WANT to go home; La ed of sta Where people don’t savvy my tongue, Where I ¢ M what the wa Nor know how much I ar yrope to my room in the gloam Or shiver in chambers like chill glacial airways. I gaze on the track to. I long to go back to That bettcr-and-sreater place, swift-elevator place, Hot-radiator place, Home! eee eateagy, T want to go home; I am tired of getting Lake mab eS ome This faney but cam 1 food, SA Tif Pale substitute cats in a Frenchitied setting. My tastes grow voracious and crude, I'm dreaming of meals without food-card restrictions, With much more of body, less foam, Where sugar and past no interdictions, I dream of 4 I pant to return to That thril putter Jand, makes-my-heart-flutter land, Milk-fat utter Jar Home! Berton Braley Abolish the Whisper! S does not live by loot alone. By their whispers ye an whispered to von Bernstorff. Trotzky whispered to the Hun. The Peace Conference, outwardly humani- i yy whispers. eath the tumult and shouting of Congress are the whispers of countless committees. Kitchin whispered his nefarious revenue bill through the Ways and Means Com- mittee. George Creel, blowing his trumpet of misinforma- tion, whispered to Burleson. And Burleson whispered back Diplomacy is founded on the whisper. And war is ? + WONDER AF SULFOELERRIWATIONIS/SLEANT ON founded on displomacy. FOR EUROPE SUGGESTION FOR SUBWAY “ RELIEF” comicbooks.com