Judge — May 5, 1900 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This Judge magazine cartoon satirizes the Panama Canal construction project. The scene depicts a chaotic exhibition or display labeled "First Prize Painting" showing the canal's development. Key visible elements include: - Political/military figures on the left (appearing to represent American leadership) - A central figure labeled "Hamlet" gesturing uncertainly - A sign reading "Well built this CANAL" with text about wanting "no interference from any foreign nation" - References to a "Spanish Navy Relic" and wanting "an Admiral" - The title indicates this concerns "The First Peep" at the Paris Exposition The cartoon mocks American ambitions regarding the canal while satirizing international tensions, particularly with Spain. The chaotic composition and exaggerated figures suggest editorial skepticism about the project's execution or diplomatic implications, though specific historical context would clarify the exact timeframe and all references intended.