Life, 1919-08-28 · page 17 of 40
Life — August 28, 1919 — page 17: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains political satire about post-World War I peace negotiations. "The Great Problem" mocks world leaders at a conference trying to resolve labor-capital disputes. Each figure is presented with self-interested excuses: the ex-Kaiser worries about vacation; Lloyd George wants more for England; King George thinks of his daughter's marriage; Clemenceau fears French revolution; Wilson faces Congressional opposition; and others prioritize personal concerns over solutions. The joke culminates when a humble "humorous contribution to Life accidentally solved the whole problem"—suggesting satirical humor succeeds where serious statesmen fail. The lower cartoons are lighter fare: a boy lost from his mother (a play on words), and a Henry Ford reference emphasizing wealth inequality (giving millions to low-wage workers). The top cartoon's dialogue about England not fighting appears to reference WWI-era tensions, though context is unclear.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
*LIPFE* “SAY, DUFFY, WOULDN'T IT BE TURRIBLE, NOW, IF ENGLAND GIVE US IWERYTHING WE AST FUR AND WOULDN'T LET US FIGHT FUR 17?” “THAT TRICK 1” WOULD BE JIST LIKE [RR TER PLAY SICH A DIRTY eye, but an otherwise straight face, said: “Whenever | hear one of you fellows read a paper like that I feel like saying, ‘ Where do you get that stuff?’" “You win,” replied the anthropologist with- instant’s hesitation. Whereupon the President threw back his head and laughed steadily for twenty minutes, after which the meeting proceeded. out an Kenneth Andre Two Good Reasons WEET YOUNG THI Why do join clubs? Sour Oto Dun: Well, some they have no homes, and some he men join because ause they have ANKS: Japanese question? Danks: Nothing. I've read both sides, What do you know about the Family Man The Great Problem HE Great Conierence between Capital and Labor: met to adjust the differences The ex-Kaiser said he could not consider the question at present, being busy deciding where he would spend his vacation. Lloyd George said he wanted to get a few more things for England before he did anything else. King ¢ outside of Royalty ecorge had to think about his daughter's marriage Clemenceaw said he would not want to do anything that might precipitate a Revolution in France The Italian Embassy went home suddenly Wilson knew what to do, tl would not ratify his plan Senator Johnson said he would speak out as the Republican Congress 1 as he thought of a solution Taft said he thought the question needed further judicial consideration La Follette said he was for peace at any price MeAdoo said he had his private finances to figure out, and could not weigh any other questions at present rst said if you read between the lines in his papers swer would be there Bok Ladies’ Home Journal might arrive at a conclusion said one of the query departments of the But it happened that a humorous contribution to Lire accidental SMALL boy sat on a A What's the passer-by y solved the whole problem Misplaced curbstone weeping bitterly. asked a kind-hearted “Have you lost your mother?” trouble, son?” * wailed the boy, “she ain't lost, but I gotta ior her, an’ 1 didn't want to be parked here mphasizes the fut ENRY FORD aga 1 fifty-million-dollar fortune to a two-dollar half-a-day man STOP TH’ GAME A MINUTE, 1 GOTTA GIVE PERSHING MIS BOTTLE ney! comicbooks.com