Judge — December 31, 1904 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This Judge magazine cartoon satirizes international trade tensions, likely from the late 19th or early 20th century. The central figure labeled "RUSSIA" (left, in military dress) confronts a "MERCHANT" (center, in civilian clothes) over a document marked "TARIFF." The grotesque winged demon figure above represents the chaos or conflict these trade policies provoke. On the right stands a caricatured figure labeled "AUTOCRACY," depicted with exaggerated, menacing features. The cartoon critiques how tariff disputes between nations—particularly Russia's protectionist trade practices—threaten international commerce and stability. The "Future" referenced in the title suggests the artist warns of coming conflict if these trade hostilities continue unresolved. The demon embodies the destructive consequences feared from escalating economic nationalism.