Life, 1923-01-18 · page 14 of 36
Life — January 18, 1923 — page 14: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page presents an interview between a Rotary Club member (Mr. Jones) and an unnamed traveler about European observations. The traveler describes economic hardship across Europe—German breweries, Italian wine production, and French liquor manufacturing—humorously suggesting these industries demonstrate each nation's struggles. The cartoon below, titled "Voices in the Fog," depicts a figure in top hat standing alone while voices call from the fog. The dialogue "Coming, Sam?" and "When I can see my way" suggests uncertainty or hesitation about direction—likely political allegory about American foreign policy or isolationism regarding European affairs. The satire critiques both European economic conditions and American reluctance to engage with European problems during the interwar period.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
~“ LIFE - - An Interview “Keep Your Mouth Open and See the World” S Mr. Rotary-Club Jones strode down the gangplank, I button- holed him. “Well,” I demanded, “how did you find Europe?” “Fine! Wonderful lot of nations! And,” said Mr. Jones impressively, “I saw ’em all. Saw every man jack of ’em, an’ don’t regret a cent. Nothin’ like travel for broadening aman. You can quote me on that. Great lessons; marvelous opportun- ities! Take Germany. My boy, in Germany I learned how to make real beer! Yes sir, from A to buz- zard. Went right down in the vats with ’em—” “And the German economic crisis,” I broke in eagerly. “What about—” “Economic poppycock! A cent a glass, young man. Li'l ole real beer a cent a glass! Think of it! ’Course if you’re dumb enough t’ figure it out in marks—” “But—” “But, nothin’! Germany’s there! No, sir, you don’t wanta underesti- mate ’em. Mustn’t judge ’em by the stuff they ship over here. Half of it comes from Jersey breweries anyway. Travel and know ’em right! “An’ Italy,” he continued, “I know what you think about ’em. Thought it myself, before I went over personally and got to know ‘em. Thought they lived on bay- rum an’ Herpicide. Don't you fool yourself. Why, young fellow, they’ve got wine in that country. Real li'l ole wine in Italy! Who'da thought it? An’ a good, rip-roarin’ drunk don’t cost a leary over two bucks. You oughta— “Now, now, young man, don’t in- terrupt! Keep still an’ learn some- thin’. Learn about France. Tal- ented little people, th’ French, Over here we've got all we can do to make good liquor with our hands— an’ th’ French make it with their feet! Yes, sir! ‘Course they charge SS es Voices in the Fog. “Coming, Sam?” “When I can see my way.” for it. Not like the Austrians, that give it to you for little pieces of paper that ain’t worth nothin’. “Problems? Young fellow, don’t you underestimate Europe. Europe ain't got problems—they’ve got beer! Naturally they're trying t’ keep out th’ Turk! Know better’n t’ take a chance lettin’ in a lotta water-gulpers like that. An’ they’re dead right. Look what a handful of ‘em done to us! No, sir, anybody that underestimates Europe—” “America will be an awful let- down,” I suggested. “Didn’t you hate to come back?” “What! These United States a let-down? Me hate to come back? My boy, I’ve been simply achin’ t’ get home! Home? There’s no place like it; an’ you can quote me on that! “Why, young fellow, I’ve got a li'l ole pre-war stock that'd make Europe look sick!” G. R. comicbooks.com