Judge — November 11, 1899 — page 8: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This cartoon satirizes American military recruitment efforts, likely during the Philippine-American War (1899-1902). The central figure labeled "VIVE AGUINALDO" references Emilio Aguinaldo, leader of Filipino independence forces opposing U.S. occupation. The recruitment tent displays contradictory promises—"Down with Prosperity," "We Promise You Anything and Everything"—mocking recruiters' false assurances to working-class men. Caricatured figures (appearing to represent Irish and other immigrant workers) are being lured toward military service under false pretenses. The "Recruiting" title and caption about "the prosperous American workingman" suggests Judge's criticism: that the U.S. military deceives ordinary workers into fighting colonial wars while promising domestic prosperity. The torn American flag and threatening figure overhead reinforce the cartoon's warning against this deception.