Judge — November 10, 1917 — page 13: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This political cartoon depicts Germany as a caricatured figure wearing a spiked Prussian helmet, labeled "MILITARISM" across his chest. He's portrayed as blindfolded and trapped between two massive pillars labeled "ARTE" (Art) and "SCIENCE" and "COMMERCE" (Commerce). The satire suggests Germany's militaristic ideology has blinded the nation to peaceful pursuits—art, science, and commerce. The biblical reference to Samson (the blind strongman) implies Germany possesses raw power but lacks vision or judgment, making it dangerous. The pillars appear to be collapsing or threatening to crush the figure, suggesting this militaristic path leads to Germany's destruction. This likely reflects pre-WWI or early WWI American anxieties about German militarism threatening civilization itself.