Life, 1921-05-26 · page 6 of 36
Life — May 26, 1921 — page 6: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**Top Cartoon ("Is America For Us or Against Us?"):** This depicts a conversation between two figures—likely representing American and British perspectives—debating national allegiance. The dialogue discusses whether America belongs to "one race, one religion" and references Bernard Shaw, suggesting a debate about American identity and immigration policy circa early 20th century. **Bottom Comic Strip ("A Friend in Need is a Friend Indeed"):** This sequential cartoon uses a mouse and cat dynamic as metaphor. It illustrates how fair-weather friendship evaporates when help is needed—the "friend" disappears once the other party becomes disadvantaged. The satire targets hypocrisy in social relationships. **Context:** The page reflects early-20th-century concerns about American identity, immigration, and social obligation.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“IS AMERICA FOR US OR AGAINST US?” Sanctum Talks “(x 0op—”" “Bless my soul! If this isn’t the Honorable Lloyd George. Do you mean to say—?” “Yes, Lire—I came over to sec you just for a quiet little chat, and incidentally—" “ Always the politician, aren't you? But as the politicia first and the statesman afterwards or—have it the other way if you will—I salute you. Anyway, my dear sir, tell me about this incidentally—" “Ah, yes; incidentally, I would inquire what is the real fecling your wonderful America entertains toward Great Britain.” “My dear Lloyd George, be seated. I wish I might answer your question with the same simplicity and frankness of treat- ment which I may say is the chief strength of your own distinguished oratory “Don’t you know what the real feeling of your country is toward mine?” “1 know what the real feeling of my real country is toward yours.” “Then you have a real country and—" “And an unreal country. Precisely. You have a tight little island: we have a loose big continent.” LIFE “Now, Lire, you're hedging. You talk more like a politician than I do.” “Assuming that possible; but Patience! I've been reading Wells’ Outline of History and I feel diffused all over. When I say ‘unreal country,’ I mean those shadowy, unassimilated portions that surround the core—the foreign, the disatfected, the—" . “T understand very well what you mean, Lire. so densely ignorant of your country as all that. You're not talking to Bernard Shaw. What I want to know is this: Is America for us, or against us ?” T am not “Well, what do your travelers report ?” “They seem in doubt.” “We belong to one race, one religion, one—” “ Now you're guying me.” “Well, cousin, that’s the answer, isn’t it ?” “Um—as you might say—I don’t get you.” “Why, as long as we keep on guying each other we’: aren't we ?” “Au revoir!" “Au revoir!” A New Disease and Its Remedy BERGSON, the eminent French philosopher, has defined a new disease, which he calls graphomania. This is an intense desire to write, an obsession, a complex, accompanied hy magnified egotism as to the importance of what one writes, Such a subject, declares M. Bergson, “becomes convinced that humanity demands the publication of his works. His dream is to fix upon himself the attention of the public.” Sir, you have spoken to the point. This is a disease prevalent in this country. Lire hereby appoints a committee consisting of Upton Sinclair and Nicholas Murray Butler, to investigate. € safe, Theory and Practice DWARD GUY worshiped Rose in secret for a long time, then he approached her reverently; he talked to her about soul affinities and poetry; he gave her white roses; and he watched over her devotedly. William James saw her; noticed she was beautiful, guod and sweet; coolly pondered whether she would mate a good help- mate to him; decided she would; and married her. Some diplomats’ greatest asset is their lie ability. A FRIEND A FRIEND comicbooks.com oo