Life, 1919-05-01 · page 9 of 44
Life — May 1, 1919 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes post-WWI political rhetoric and idealism. The top section mocks various international agreements and legal frameworks—referencing the League of Nations Covenant, Articles Ten and Eleven, and international arbitration—by suggesting these lofty principles are contradicted by nations' actual behavior (like shooting, standing divided, and treading on others). The lower cartoon depicts a couple gazing through a telescope or surveying instrument, captioned "Lost Morale." The accompanying dialogue mocks a young man's cowardice, comparing him unfavorably to labor activists. The satire suggests disillusionment with post-war idealism and questions about masculine courage in the new political order. The overall message critiques the gap between high-minded international principles and cynical realpolitik.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Battle Cries of the Future Rly "round the covenant, boys! rally ‘round the covenant ! Don’t forget paragraph 9, section 3, Article Ten. Millions for international comity, but not one cent for tribute, as prohibited under section 51, Article Eleven. England expects every man to do his duty, under para- graph 4, Article Seventy-eight. United, under section 15, we stand; divided we fall, un- der paragraph 8, Article Ten. Don’t shoot till you see Amendments V to IX (inclusive). Britann’ e Article Five, section 1, paragraph 7b— rules the wave. Don't tread on me, under penalty of Article Eleven. Liberty, equality, alcohol—two and three-quarters per cent. by volume. Let’s give up the ship, boys—the claim is justiciable. Give me liberty, under Article Sixteen, paragraphs 3-4, or give me a hearing before the International High Court of Arbitration, as guaranteed under Article Forty-four, section 3. To bh 1 with allegiance !—we signed the covenant with reservations, Lost Morale . ST HAL boy seems to have utterly lost his nerve.” “Yes. He hasn't any more courage than if he were a member of the administration confronted by a committee of labor delegates.”