Judge, 1917-09-01 · page 18 of 28
Judge — September 1, 1917 — page 18: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This Judge page collects war-related cartoons from international sources, satirizing WWI-era absurdities. Key themes: **Political figures**: Wilson and Roosevelt are mocked for their paper millions—suggesting inflated promises or resources. **Military incompetence**: A British "old sweat" (veteran) suggests testing a dud shell with a match, satirizing military bungling. **Home front privation**: "Breadless motors" jokes about fuel/food rationing; civilians questioned about "back to the land" agricultural programs seem confused. **German despair**: A German soldier suggests God has abandoned them after 35 months of Kaiser conscription—dark humor about war's duration and futility. **Women's roles**: A wife wearing a military uniform despite her husband's objection reflects changing wartime gender dynamics. The page's title and sourcing from international publications (Zurich, London, Paris) suggest Judge presented international war commentary to American readers, finding dark humor in universal wartime confusion and suffering.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
America’s Army Wilson and Roosevelt have their millions —on paper.—Nebelspalter (Zurich). Youngster (examining ‘“dud”)—Would this be a high explosive shell? Old sweat—Dunno! Drop a match in and see.—Blightly (London). “Argumentum ad Hominem.” “Blowed if I can understand all this ‘ere cry of ‘Back to the land,’ sir, can you?” — Bystander (London). Fancy! Bread! “Ide that crust, "Erb! "Ere’s another 0” them breadless motors a-romin’!""—By- stander (London). * Prita, je crois que le vieux Diew nous * Depuis trente-cing mois qu'il est mobiliré par not kaiser il a peut-étre obtenu une permission de détente. “Fritz, I think God has abandoned us! “It’s thirty-five months since He was mo- bilized by our Kaiser—perhaps He’s obtained a furlough.”"—Le Rire (Paris). “Thought you said you'd never let your wife don that uniform?” “So I did, but I rather fancy she heard me?”—Tatler (London). Agricultural “shop” replaces intelligent war criticism in a suburban railway carriage. —Sketch (London). Coming to the Scratch American eagle—Say, are you the guy a s collecting nails?—Evening News (Lon- don). and up to nor advanc alone Consci to com inferior wonder and cu unculti Wi Regard how act Tess of | comicbooks.com