Life, 1924-01-24 · page 22 of 36
Life — January 24, 1924 — page 22: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes the dissolution of Czechoslovakia in 1939, when Nazi Germany dismantled the country. The main article, "The Liquidation of Czecho-Slovakia," presents a conversation between the author and someone named Bates discussing the nation's economic collapse through dark humor. The satire centers on economic desperation: Bates describes how Czechoslovak industries (glass bangles, wooden beads) have become worthless as export trade collapses, and suggests the currency itself is so devalued that beads serve as actual currency. The "national drink" (likely Becherovka) represents what little value remains. The cartoon at bottom—captioned "In Abeyance"—shows a mother and child discussing a neighbor boy, concluding "we haven't licked each other yet." This appears to satirize international relations, suggesting nations have temporarily suspended conflict but haven't yet resolved tensions. The overall tone mocks both Czechoslovakia's economic crisis and the international community's passive response to the country's fate.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
20 (CAECHO SLOVAKIA is a LIFE The Liquidation of Czecho-Slovakia wonderful country,” said friend, wh ‘Check m that!” [ agreed heartily Idered and arm-galled “Of all the European nations,” ly one showing a balance on Don't be funny,” cipal i wooden * said Bates, “Every s bracelets The night stringing | Oh,” said I. “LE have seen a lot So that’s w does That’ aid es that—I have it acelets for currency That's a good idea “Sure,” said Bates. The whit And so on.” and the blues, ter And so on,” said I. “Suppose you buy a meal over th said Bates. “ht costs about thirty-seven cents tip. You give the waiter fifty cent “her Czechs are habie.” bead necklaces last oe of them Americ y continued Bates, “she is the sary loose change the credit. side Her rate Hey— he broke off suddenty She is solver played a foreign-appearing bot! Lrown liquid. “What is it?” 1 ed. Hezootezh, Slovakia 90k the bottle and shook it that,” said 1 Some bead,” “And do you k export lace’s worth,” be suggested that can't blow glass ar I did. “Bates,” said I, “th It's a wonderful country tof the junk about lately Henry “And they are enjoying a tre If grateful for their prosperity ; brat 1 excellent faith—they even use the l' I were a celebr I'd never wear riding breeches I'd keep my shirt buttoned Td own an ry automobile, I'd never have beards, including nl he gives you a red necklace, three white ass bracelets and a nickel change.” “TE suppose.” said I, “after y week, you have to open a novelty s “Exactly,” said Bates. *y ve been eating out for a op to break even “OF course, it’s fine that they are Ss =<. Ne tn Ges IN ABEYANCE “WELL, BORBY, HOW PO YOU LIKE THE BOY NENT poor?” DON'T KNOW, MOTHER. WE HAVEN'T LICKED EACH OTHER YET.” so loyal and patriotic, but it must be m carr said Bates, “the said Bates, extract tion picture doctors in my films wear So it's lucky that California doesn’t a terrible bore. My wrote me about this, says he is becoming round around his neces t mind it a bit at this! He dis with a suspicious onal drink of Czecho- the cork. “T r CzechoSlovakia illiam Hanemann. director— neck, agree with me Cc. M. Asoy comicbooks.com °