Judge — November 19, 1898 — page 8: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This 1898 *Judge* cartoon titled "Verdaderamente Al Es|Rei" (Spanish: "Truly to the King") appears to be satirizing Spanish colonial authority, likely referencing the Spanish-American War period. The left figure—a caricatured Spanish official or aristocrat—stands with a megaphone beside a barrel labeled "POWDER" (gunpowder), suggesting military aggression or warmongering. The right side shows figures bound to a post with rope, appearing to represent colonial subjects or prisoners. The barren landscape with dead vegetation suggests destruction and ruin caused by Spanish rule. The cartoon likely critiques Spanish imperialism and violence toward colonized peoples, positioning Spain's leaders as destructive warmongers indifferent to human suffering. The Spanish-language title suggests this may have been commentary aimed at Spanish readers or addressing Latin American audiences regarding Spain's colonial methods.