Life, 1922-07-06 · page 5 of 36
Life — July 6, 1922 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes post-WWI financial disputes, likely between France and the United States. The rooster represents France, the eagle represents America. France ("Mon Dieu") complains it's in debt and needs repayment. The eagle responds that France must pay back American loans and invoices ("P.D.Q."—pretty darn quick). The Cock accuses the Eagle of profiting from wartime markets while France suffered invasion and destruction. The Eagle dismisses this with legalistic deflection ("Les affaires sont les affaires"—business is business), asserting that loans must be repaid regardless of circumstances. The joke's ironic conclusion: both nations invoke "In God We Trust" while bickering over money—suggesting cynicism about post-war Allied solidarity and American creditor ruthlessness toward an impoverished France.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
In God We Trust Quo the Cock to the Eagle, “Mon Dieu, doodle-doo! I'm in a bad fix and it’s owing to you!” “That it’s owing to me,” screamed the Eagle, “is true, So pay me what's owing and pay P.D.Q.” “Hélas!” wailed the Cock, “all the gold that you lent To meet our sore need, in your markets was spent, And all that you sold us (no wonder we chafe!) Helped to make your own shores for Democracy safe; You paid yourself back—We have nothing to show But a Country despoiled and a prospering foe !” “Tut, tut!” squawked the Eagle—“Remember, Mon Cher, Les affaires (your own motto, sir!) sont les affaires! “And yours,” crowed the Cock with a shrug, “if I just Remember it rightly, is IN GOD WE TRUST.” O. H. comicbooks.com