Judge, 1916-09-30 · page 20 of 28
Judge — September 30, 1916 — page 20: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page collects humorous cartoons and jokes from European and British publications during World War I, translated for American readers. The cartoons mock wartime absurdities: a German town official won't illuminate the town hall clock because his wife enjoys seeing it from bed at night; French soldiers absurdly barb telegraph wires to block "enemy wireless" (a confused conflation of technologies); a pompous British brigadier obsesses over cigarette butts in trenches while ignoring actual combat conditions. Other items satirize military incompetence—a doctor's oddly clinical question about bullet wounds, and a recruit so traumatized by Swedish calisthenics that he prefers declaring war on Sweden to enduring more exercise. The final cartoon depicts a patriotic German meat-seller refusing to feed Germany (unclear intent—possibly anti-German sentiment or meat rationing commentary). These represent typical WWI-era satirical humor: mocking bureaucratic incompetence, military pretension, and wartime absurdity across allied nations.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The Reason Fremder—Inre Rathausuhr sol Beleuchtung kriegen, warum ist Einheimischer—Ach, unser Bargermeister der bum melt namlich gern ¢ bisserl, und die Pran Burgermeister konnte grad von ihrem Bette aus auf die beleuchtete Uhr schaun! Visitor—According to what I hear your town hall is supposed to be lit up at night. Why isn’t it? Inhabitant—Well, you sce, our likes to stay out late at night once while, and his wife can see the illuminated clock from her bed.—Meggendorfer-Blaetter (Munich). A Wise Precaution « vous barbelez lés fils télegraphiques? empécher de passer les dépéches sans “Yes, in order to prevent the enemy's wireless dispatches from passing.”"—Le Rire (Paris) Brigadier (inspecting recently blown-in trench)—Now just look at that! Cigarette end! I’ve never seen such an untidy lot of trenches in my life!—London Opinion. People We Should Like to See Interned “You say the bullet went in at the front of your shoulder and came out at the back. Now tell me—I do so want to know— which did you fecl the most—when it was going in or coming out?”’— Punch (London). Study of a patriotic Dog’s-Meat Man refusing to feed Germany.—The Passing Show (London). 'S got shrapnel . What's yours? Don't Blame Him Recruit (after an, hour's “Swedish”)— Vell, if we declare war against Sweden, I want to be in the first draft.—London Opinion. Employer—One thing—we must have our figures correct. ‘Applicant—Well, I've never had any complaints yet on that score. Sydney Bulletin. comicbooks.