Life, 1919-06-26 · page 19 of 43
Life — June 26, 1919 — page 19: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**Main Cartoon ("And They Think They Are Buying Oil"):** Depicts a man guarding oil cans while well-dressed officials enter a building labeled "EXPORTS." The satire suggests that post-WWI Germany is being sold oil (or other resources) under the guise of legitimate commerce, when the transaction is actually a deception or trick. **"The Game of Placate":** Satirizes post-war peace negotiations, likely regarding German reparations/terms. Germany repeatedly "squeals" in protest; terms get repeatedly adjusted. The piece mocks the endless back-and-forth between Wilson, Lloyd George, King George, and others ("the Big Four"), suggesting their diplomacy is performative while ignoring real human suffering—how ordinary people will survive economically and whether Bolshevism will spread. **"The Consultation":** Two figures debate whether someone's symptoms indicate rheumatism or typhoid fever—a medical joke reflecting post-war uncertainty about diagnosis/solutions. **Context:** This appears from the post-WWI period (1919-1920), criticizing Allied leadership's negotiation strategy with defeated Germany as both ineffective and indifferent to ordinary citizens' welfare.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ates) Human Nature AYES Yankee soldiers were in France They often talked of “ home.” 1 how they longed for just Of New Orleans or Nome! w Yankee soldiers have returned They never miss a chance ‘telling of the things they learned n ar old muddy France!” Harold Seton. The Game of Placate HE game of placating Germany i still going on Terms are first handed her on a latter. She then emits a series of iuieals. The terms are then readjusted. More squeals. Somebody suggests that, in the circumstances, President Wilson may have made a mistake, Howls from “AND THEY THINK THEY ARE BUYING OIL the American side, a ied by “YYJHAT’S become of Billy Sunday? that stirring natior ir, ey King We never hear of him any mor Can Do No Wrong. “ Perhaps he’s joined some church.” Lloyd George is then interviewed, and says that everything is all right. King George appears at seven receptions. Colonel House remarks that the weather is much better than he looked for it to he day before yesterday Count von Brockdorff-Rantzau declares that the business of invading America has been postponed for three weeks more. They are putting ice bags on Borah and Lodge. Meanwhile such trivial matte as to how the every-day, decent, child-rais- ing, home-bearing men and women of every race shall keep their b is above water, or whether the Bolsheviki shall make a clean sweep—these can wait THE CONSULTATION the pleasure of the high rulers, other- Now, REMEMBER — HEADS, IT’S RHEU- wise known as the Big Four. MATISM; TAILS, IT’S TYPHOID FEVER” comicbooks.com