Judge, 1918-07-27 · page 11 of 36
Judge — July 27, 1918 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains WWI-era American political humor targeting Germany and Kaiser Wilhelm II. **"Treat 'Em Rough"** (left) is a series of satirical one-liners mocking German culture and war conduct. References include: the Kaiser's invasion of Belgium ("When the Kaiser thinks of Belgium he puts on his spats"), German militarism ("goose-step"), and the character of German civilization itself. The humor relies on absurdist comparisons—Germany's mind "misses the obvious," its culture "grows downward like a banyan tree." This reflects American anti-German sentiment during WWI, portraying Germans as mechanically rigid yet fundamentally foolish. **"Rumpus Ridge and Vicinity"** (right) is a rural humor feature unrelated to the war, featuring small-town characters like J. Fuller Gloom and Gap Johnson with folksy anecdotes about summer heat, horse trading, and religious hypocrisy. The top illustration asks readers: "Are you basking your bit or hoeing your bit this summer?"—encouraging civilian participation in wartime agricultural production.
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Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Drawn by Lawrence Fetrows “Treat *’Em Rough’’ Are you basking your bit or hocing your bit this summer? By Bexyasix De Casseres humor. HE German goose-step has begun its quack. War is a stiff drink, but don’t forget the chaser, “ I RECKON the feller t Like the banyan tree, German civilization grows downward. When the Kaiser thinks of Belgium he puts on his spats. O for the colossal laugh of a German Rabelai a siveiuous time divorcing Hoboken. Wisconsin is having It is positively uncanny the way the German mind misses the obvious. The Russians are sitting in a * draught between the open doors of Germany and Japan. Clamp the ‘gas-mask _ of humor on r face before the sulphurous breath of the gods Gardener William Hohen- zollern has made a landscape of weeds in Western Europe. The German mind is like a trunk _ brass-riveted, well- strapped, filled with blue-prints, sentimental ballads and moths. Hell, which used to be paved with ge intentions, is now paved with the Kaiser’s peace programs. The Kaiser has read the palm of the Ameri and he has seen a li Tuns to an iron muscle. It should have been called the Pan-Pussyfoot League. Mankind cannot sink lower than the beast as long as it leagues itself against Ge n Satan wears a fire- mask these days. the man,’ uttered an oration that w go i Rumpus a copy idge, Ark. is! Drawn by Fraxk Gopowinx Litera INTERPRETATIONS “The bride entered on the arm of her father” ” admitt Tennyrate, a fight with my Liggest boys they tell me that if they whip me it will be for my own good.” Rumpus Ridge and Vicinity 3y Tou Moncan His Deduction at said, ‘The boy is the father of true enough to ed Mr. Gap Johnson, of most every time I have Well Informed “Ah, Mr. Gloom! Going to be another hot day, isn’t it?” “Ves snarled J. Fuller Gloom, ‘Or, at least, so cighty- seven other persons who have nothing else to talk about have told me.” A Mystery “T don't know what to make of that feller, Ike Fagg,” said the Missourian, “He says that him and Newt Snafiles is both satisfied with the horse swa they made the other day that neither of ‘em got stuck. Of course, he is lying to me. But what is his object?” A Similarity “Cleanliness is next to god- liness, and—” began the Presid- ing Elder. “That’s a fact, Parson!” agreed Mr. Gap Johnson, of Rumpus Ridge, Ark. “I have todo mighty nigh as much cuss- ing and whaling to make my children take a bath as to get ’em to go to church.” comicbooks.com