Life — July 6, 1922 — page 5: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "In God We Trust" - Political Satire 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.