Life, 1922-03-09 · page 25 of 34
Life — March 9, 1922 — page 25: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes President Warren Harding's rejection of an invitation to the Genoa Conference (an international economic conference). The poem, attributed to Berton Braley, uses ironic contrast: Harding eagerly hosted a disarmament party that other nations attended enthusiastically, but now Europe invites him to their economic conference and he "rejects their invitation with a glare." The satire mocks Harding's hypocrisy and poor sportsmanship—he welcomed international cooperation when *he* organized it, but refuses reciprocal engagement. The poem argues this is "unsportsmanlike" and suggests America should graciously accept, rather than rudely reject, European overtures. The unrelated bottom cartoon, "The Skin Game," is a prehistoric humor joke about a suitor negotiating with a father over bride-price, making light of women as commodities.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
LIFE The Retort Discourteous (President Harding Considers Invitation to Genoa Conference.—News Item.) 7] HEN Harding gave a party, with disarmament the Now Europe gives a party of an economic style aim, . And says “You must come over,” with a most engaging Mix He a-ked the other nations—and the other nations came; smile, ankly, nd they labored very hearty But this gentlemanly nation i this With co-op-er-a-tive zest Has a half-a-dozen fits so that Warren's little party Could be numbered with the best; Though there now and then were traces of a clash of cess Tavels ttings, While it tears the invitation Into tiny little bits, And our president grows trembly lest we gather in assembly lume various races, i 4 es of \!! the ructions and the rows were very small, With the European nations: over there; . . ctwol i) the nations’ hopes were blended with enthusiasm | Though they came and joined his party with enthusiasm cerned splendid hearty, m the 1a very pleasant time was had by all! He rejects their invitation with a glare! a Na- disso- men . ly, or Which may be democratic (with a very tiny “d”), The But it appears exceedingly unsportsmanlike to me; : hi If we treated Europe rightly We would courteously say, “Since you joined us so politely In your polished foreign way, 8. by We'll consider it a pleasure to extend to you full measure Mac- Of our counsel and to join your friendly ‘chat; One . To do otherwise were rudeness of a most abysmal crudeness 7 And of course we couldn’t be as rude as that!” Berton Braley. Not in a © be other 1 the vhile | | nkin tory rong ) in ma aps t is will > of logy Low Vest big ‘ro: bly, The Skin Game Prehistoric Maid: Are you sure you love me? Suitor: Of course I do, but your father is asking three tiger skins for you and to be perfectly frank I don’t think you're worth it. comicbooks.com