Judge — January 29, 1898 — page 8: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This Judge magazine cartoon (copyright 1898) satirizes international power dynamics, likely regarding American imperial expansion. The central figure appears to be Uncle Sam (identifiable by the striped top hat), depicted as a stern authority figure overseeing various nations represented as dogs wearing national emblems and collars—including what appears to be German and British insignia. The "Yellow Peril" reference in the title suggests anxiety about Asian (likely Chinese or Japanese) influence or competition. The dogs' submissive postures suggest nations under American dominance or control. The cartoon critiques either American interventionism abroad or concerns about losing American influence to rival powers—typical themes of 1890s American political discourse during the era of imperialism and the Spanish-American War.