Life, 1921-09-01 · page 6 of 35
Life — September 1, 1921 — page 6: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical piece mocks the post-WWI German war crimes trials. The sketch shows Death (the skeletal figure with scythe, labeled as such in the visual) meeting with what appears to be a beauty specialist or cosmetic practitioner, suggesting the trials are merely superficial window-dressing rather than genuine justice. The dialogue lampoons judges issuing trivial punishments—fines in pennies, brief uniform-wearing requirements, week-long picture-hanging sentences—for serious crimes including prisoner abuse, assault, and violence. The satire argues these trials are performative theater that fails to address actual wartime atrocities. The title and "Madame Caprice Beauty Specialist" sign reinforce the critique: justice is being cosmetically applied rather than substantively administered.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
ER Supreme CuutcH: Chorch, take.dot dachshund der was- ser-cooler oudt off, und bring in der prisoner. (Amid loud cries of “hoch!” “bier kommt gleich,” - “kuss die hand,” enter Ludwig von Pffeffernuss, Ober- lieutnant of der 6788th Schutzerei.) Lupwic: Wie gehts, Your Honor? Der Supreme CHUTCH: Pretty goot, Loodie. Aber der rinderbrust vot I haft ett for friihstuck gehts mir nicht so goot. Vot’s der chartch? Justice A Delicate Farce of the German War Trials Scene: Der Supreme Court in Supreme Session Der Supreme Court Cierk: Der hochwohlgeboren prisoner is chartched mit shootink off his automatik into a crowd of nootrals, killing four women, one old man and four leedle poys. His defense iss dot he didn’t know it vos loadit. Der Supreme CuHutTcH: Vell, Loodie, dot’s a pretty goot eggscuse. But you don’t get away mit vastink der ammuni- tion off der All-Highest. Fined you are 17 marks, 33 pfennigs, payable in fifty- eight yearly instalments. Next case! Der Supreme Court Cierk: Kapi- tan Otto Adelbert von Unter: Sunk a hospital ship mit all on board. Der SupreME CHUTCH: Oo, you pECIAUST } “I hope, Madame, you appreciate all the custom I bring to you.” naughty poy, you! Hold out der hand, (Otto receives three smacks from su- preme ruler on® supreme desk.) Next case! Der Supreme Court CLERK: Hans Friederich von Sitzbad. Chartched mit mistreating prisoners in prison camp off which he was Kommandant. Chartched mit assauldt, drunkenness, konduct unbe- fitting an offitzier und bad langwitch. Der Supreme CHUTCH: Hansie, for you I am ashamed. Go to der black- board, und sollen Sie zehnmal “I am very wicked” ausschreiben. Next case Der Supreme Court CLE Willy Nilly von Schnitzelkopf. joned fiff- teen wells und croaked 6,899 people. Re- ceived Iron Cross for walorous deed. Der Supreme CuutcH: Shame! For a whole week shall he not wear his nice Iron Cross. Next case! Der Supreme Court Cierk: Hein- rich Kaspar Felix Conrad von Kanon- enkugel, Area general. Chartched mit keeping vounded prisoners standing atten- tion at until dey dropped exhaustion mit. Der Supreme CuHutcH: Goot! | never haff liked dot big stiff. Off him I shall make a example. Heinrich von Kanonenkugel, I sentence you in full dress uniform mit to take der dachs- hund for a walk oudt. Next case! ( of “Mercy, yet!” “Dot's a dirty trick!” “Reconsider, vunce!” “Haff a heart,” etc.) Der SupreMeE Court Cierk: Emil Rudolf Fliegendekaffeekuchen. — Chart- ched mit warious und sundry acts of un- necessary brutality including the feedink of ground glass to der kleiner kinder of occupied areas. Der Supreme CHUTCH (yawning): Whaaarf! For two veeks shall he turn the picture of unser geliebste Kaiser to the wall. Und now I haff handed oudt enough chutchment. I haff me a date. Court’s atchurned. Der Supreme Court Cierk: Aber Your Honor, giffs it 5677 prisoners more to serve sentence for their heinousnesses. Der Supreme CHutTcH: Vell, vot off idt? Hand oudt to der Associated Press dot dey haff been summarily und wigor- ously dealt mit und let dem go. I haff me a date mit Grover Cleveland Bergdoll. Der Interested Poputace: Hoch! Hoch! Fiir Bergdoll, hoch! Der SuprEME CHUTCH: Ja, ja! Him und me iss learning to make Der Star Spankled Banner in duets togedder. Curtain. Henry William Hanemann. comicbooks.com Se,