Judge, 1914-09-12 · page 19 of 24
Judge — September 12, 1914 — page 19: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This cartoon satirizes the difficulty of maintaining American neutrality during World War I (the conflict is referenced as ongoing in Europe). The poem, attributed to Edgar A. Guest, presents a narrator who claims to remain neutral while living among neighbors of different nationalities—British, German, Belgian, French, Russian, Japanese, and Scottish. The satire's point: true neutrality is impossible. The narrator must constantly perform verbal gymnastics, praising each nation's war efforts to avoid offending his neighbors. He "passes the mustard"—performs small appeasing gestures—to all sides. The cartoon mocks both the absurdity of claiming neutrality while surrounded by belligerents' sympathizers, and the hypocrisy of Americans who claim neutrality while tacitly supporting various allied nations. This reflects genuine American anxiety circa 1914-1917 about ethnic communities and divided loyalties during the war.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
12—A ialists senta. leted. is still greed gainst ve ef. linois, e, and S, the ‘over. either e Pops louse, to fig- t ses- ership unite one Z Passittg, the Mustard Neutrality The President has urged me to Preserve a neutral attitude, To utter neither thought nor view Original or platitude That might intensify the scrap Now spilling blood on Europe's map. My neighbor is a British born, ‘A man of splendid qualities, And it is plain he holds in scorn A lot of my frivolities. But now a smile from him I bring By shouting loud, ‘God save the King!’’ Across the way a German lives, Akind and very helpful neighbor, A peaceful man who daily gives His home the profits of his labor. To keep his friendship firm I try, sir! “Wie gehts!’’ I ery, and ‘‘Hoch der Kai- A Belgian ‘tis my luck to know, In Brussels born. Oh, need I say more? One of those fighting men who show Their courage at Liege and Namur. My feelings firmly I’m repressing; I merely say, ‘* You've got ’em guessing.” To-day in some strange circumstance I chanced upon a dapper brother Who claims allegiance unto France; Tocheer for him might wound another. “Your views on war,’’ said he, ‘‘now tell, sir."” “The French,"’ said I, ‘‘are fighting well, sir.” I've praised ’em all—the Russ, the Jap, The gallant Scot from Tobermory. They sha'n’t embroil me in their scrap. I wish 'em all success and glory. Within a neutral zone I'm sit Attending strictly to my kni —Edgar A. Guest, in Detroit Fi “Thanks"’—‘‘Let me plow this field.”” “Thank “I'm canvassing this district for Con- gress,"’ said the willing worker, after The Weather : Son and shade. JLtrtereontal of Abbott's Bitters with your Grape Fralt i Batra an ideal ai S petal je. Sample of bitters by mail ca tm stampa CW t& Co, Raltimore, Md. [ADV.) Per arat Only from BASCH can you get ¢ Din ks Perfect Cut IAMONDS 50 G Compiete $12.00 Complete $21.26 Complete $48.75 Rtbeiie - sen Le engl sand here’s the Reason: “s Lene eat frome the Aamo Te raladiocene ate i ‘ pay wholesalet SEND NO MONEY-NO REFERENCES-NO DEPOSIT diamond—choose any gold or A written contract to refund full price In cash leas 104 if you return diamond within 2 years fe ann. Also permits exchange any ull price pald. A lngal guarante of exrat faality and value—makes dissatisfac molutely sm possible. 128 Page De Luxe BASCH DIAMOND BOOK, FREE! aplete book on di ary to buy Plan nt ‘Watches. Vs Hingty 4 comparison. Absolutely free—write for it NOW! L. BASCH & CO., Dept. W226, State and Quincy Sts., CHICAGO | will send for a short while only my 25¢. book Improve Your Eyes For 10c. stamps or coin A high-grade exercise and masse; method that quickly strengthens and bea: Also a moat beneficial system of exercises thet will improve the muscles of tne temples and sides a face, thereby te mrieies tod vocal. pronunciation. : trated. Entirely without spparatia MUSCLE BUILDER A steel epring exerciser and chest expander with a complete course of twenty-four selected q) exercises for developing all the muscles of the body. It is equal to any $3,00 exerciser. My peice for a hort time only, $1.00. Prof. ANTHONY BARKER 1042 Barker Bidg., 110 W. 424 St., N.Y. HOTEL ABERDEEN 32d St. Between Sth Ave. and Broadway NEW YORK CITY Everyone admires a clear complexion. It’s an open secret that Pears’ Soap has brought the glow of health to millions of fair faces. Sold in America and every other country. HOTEL EARLINGTON 27th Street, West of Broadway NEW YORK Location unsurpassed; three minutes from Pennsylvania Station and very close to all high class department stores and theatres: q A Step from Broadway. A MAGNIFICENT Q Absolutely Fireproof. FIREPROOF COMMERCIAL HOTEL giving the highest class accommodations at the most moderate rates, This hotel has every known improve- ment and has no equal for its service and attention, Every Room with Private Bath $1.50 Per Day and $2.00. Special Rates by Week, Month or Season. Q Quiet as a Village at Night. q Your Comfort Our Aim Always. SINGLE ROOMS, $1.00 Parlor, Bedroom and Bath, front of house, one person, $2.00; two people, $3.50, Why pay more when our service is equalled only by the best? EUROPEAN PLAN E. W. WARFIELD, - - Manager comicbooks.com