Life, 1921-11-17 · page 6 of 34
Life — November 17, 1921 — page 6: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This article by Wallace Irwin satirizes post-WWI diplomatic tensions. The main cartoon depicts two figures (likely representing nations) in violent conflict, labeled "We require Asia!" The text mocks Republican and Democratic politicians debating war expenses and peace terms. Irwin's Uncle Nichi character represents Republican isolationism, while other figures discuss disarmament conferences and territorial claims. The satire targets: - Politicians using pacifist rhetoric while pursuing imperial ambitions - Competing European and Asian powers making contradictory territorial demands (England, Ireland, Japan, China, France, Italy, Germany all listed as making claims) - The hypocrisy of "peace" conferences that actually reflect continued great-power competition The title "Togo Explodes" (referencing Japan's Admiral Togo) suggests ongoing Japanese militarism threatening regional stability despite peace negotiations.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Togo Explodes Over Grand Events Now Exposing Prosperity O Editor “Life” who disarm all critics except Hon. Benchley, Dearest Sir: My Uncle Nichi (Harding Repub- lican) arrive back from Wash, D. C., yestday p. m. where he meet Arthur Kickahajama (Cox Democrat) and following fight enjoyed: “Well,” corrode Uncle lovely, “Wash- ington are now full of diplomatic trunks and satchels. If you are fond of Prime Ministers you can find plenty of them reeling among emotion picture cameras. European languages are be- ing spoken in hotels. Everything so international that Senator Walsh per- mits English flag on British embassy. Peace is begun. Lions can now lay down beside lambs without fear of be- ing bit.” “What are cause of this bow-wow?” smear Arthur. “Hon. Warring G. Harding,” say Uncle with doves in his voice. “He have smiled again. He have waved the front porch to all internationalities. Entire world, including the Dominion of Ireland & Mingo, will be peaceful from now on.” “Tt have been from now on since Ver- peaceful Wallace Irwin “What are cause of this bow-wow?” who I are not even related by mar- riage?” “That have also been thought of by Republican party,” snuggest Uncle Nichi. Expense of Govt. this annual year will be only $3,500,000,000.” “Think of those!” I holla. “And with warfare demolished maybe Gen. Prosperity will be boss. Such nice plan. We will explode all machine guns and knock out navies. Why did not Hon. Woodrow think up that simplicity ?” “Senator Lodge would not let him,” snagger Arthur. “O surely not!” snuggest Uncle. “Such Woodrow idea cantained dan- sailles,” dib Arthur like Clemenceau. “And see what happened to it!” “Ah, but this are different from disgustly Versailles,” explan my wise uncle. “Euro- pean diplomacy must now travel to America where change of climate make him honest. Also World have changed his _ polities He have became Republican. He are now voting straight ticket with axeption of Hon. Underwood who are one of the mistakes inherited from the Wilson Administration.” “Warfare, I see, will be killed on strictly non-partisan basis, as usual,” — snarrel Arthur Kickahajama. “So glad!” I busted in joyly. “It are very high time that nations shot less and talked more. People have got so mania about warfare that they steal powder from ladies’ noses to load into cannons. Why should I pay a luxury tax for privilege of killing persons to Peac “We require Asia!” gerous idealism, socialistic League of Nations and other poisoned thoughts. But Senator Lodge have now saved the world from Democracy, so he can set at table with Wilson policies on his plate and not be annoyed.” “And now,” I demure, “nothing re- main but to take firearms away from patriots.” “Did you ever attemp to take a fire. arm away from a patriot?” require Ar. thur Kickahajama. “Seldom if never,” say me & Unde. “Once I try,” explan Arthur. “He was a man of Italian originality filled with light wine & beer. He spoke Ca- morra_ language while shooting at my eyelids. I disarmed him by running away with assistance of 13 police who got shot twice.” “If Hon. E Hughes was there to negotiate maybe that fight would stop before started,” I revoke. “O surely will!” decry Uncle Nichi (Republican). “When Limited Arms Conference come together, then what sweetish singing will be! [Enclosed harmony music from five (5) male quartettes in five (5) languages. Sud- denly they will decry, ‘Disarm!’ and drop ammunition.” “Drop bombs,” mone Arthur. “Will that be all neccessary to get Peace?” I narrate. “Some slight perliminary talk will he enjoyed,” snuggest Uncle Nichi careluss. “Such as which? romp out. “Before beating their bat- cellency “Perhapsly you have those Just Claims tipewritten in your pocket,” mana \rthur. Uncle Nichi make slight fishout from his pocket and read following vestcoat YGLAND — We Asia up to suburbs of Moscow and Dominion Government for Ireland. “TIRELAND—We refuse, @ usual. “JAPAN—We require Shan- tung, Cor Sibe Yap, California and all other Japanese provinces, inclul- ing China. “CHINA—We refuse again. “FRANCE — Military occupation of Germany the first of every month to collect rent. 2,000,000 men will be sufficient. “ITALY—We ask back all territory we lost by our victory over Austria. require Arthur tleships to ferryboats all na-§ tions will present just claims.” } comicbooks.com