Judge — October 13, 1906 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This October 1906 Judge cartoon satirizes President Theodore Roosevelt's concerns about potential instability in Cuba. The image shows a large cauldron labeled "CUBA" boiling over violently with explosions and weapons, while Roosevelt (identifiable by his distinctive glasses and mustache) stands nearby with a lid, saying "If that pot boils over I'll have to put the lid on." The satire mocks Roosevelt's interventionist posture toward Cuba—suggesting he stands ready to suppress Cuban unrest with American military force. The boiling cauldron represents the political turmoil and violence erupting on the island, while the lid symbolizes military intervention. The cartoon critiques Roosevelt's willingness to use American power to control Cuban affairs.