Judge, 1918-07-06 · page 2 of 36
Judge — July 6, 1918 — page 2: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a WWI-era public service announcement from the Committee on Public Information (a U.S. government propaganda agency). The grainy photograph shows what appears to be people exchanging documents or information clandestinely. The message warns Americans against discussing military information with anyone, as German spies are actively gathering intelligence. The text emphasizes that even seemingly harmless details about "our men, our ships, our munitions" can be pieced together into actionable intelligence that endangers American soldiers. The advertisement instructs citizens to report suspected spies to the Department of Justice and warns that casual conversation—even with friends or family—could aid the enemy. This reflects the intense domestic surveillance paranoia and emphasis on civilian vigilance characteristic of American WWI mobilization.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Q Lies individually harmless—are patiently pieced together into a whole which spells death to American. soldiers and danger to American homes But while the enemy ir us in ng lect information, and his systems elaborate, he is not superhuman—indeed he n ver and ! what he wants were it n liberately handed tc him by the carelessness of Ic Do not discuss in public troop and tran: t mot . military preparat hich come int ur posse s, divulges—or seeks—confidential or belittles our efforts to w Do ne write you ts about where t re, . i es of such person , with names of witnesses if possible— an beat him at his own game of « : VX ber he asks no better c n ve ead you made the report will not bece « emy today, drunkenne i r ree, if ye 1 him across Man's Land, In tales certain tur n sand to bri t ul weapons with which to meet him—dis and grief to n nd vigilance. Use them COMMITTE LIC INFORMATIO , WASHINGTON, D George Creel. Chairman The Secretary of St The Secretary of War The Secretary of the Navy This space contributed for the Winning of the War by THE PUBLISHER OF JUDGE comicbooks.com