Judge, 1919-01-04 · page 21 of 32
Judge — January 4, 1919 — page 21: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This political cartoon depicts **Kaiser Wilhelm II** of Germany (identifiable by his distinctive upturned mustache and military uniform with medals) in a moment of contrived remorse during **World War I**. The satire quotes German dramatist Grillparzer's lines about living poorly and causing destruction like a thunderstorm, but the accompanying French caption undercuts this supposed repentance: a character notes the moon appears dimmer than expected, and another responds it's due to wartime rationing restrictions—the government only allows a "reduced portion." **The joke**: The Kaiser's grandiose apology for his destructive actions is presented as merely theatrical posturing. By juxtaposing his dramatic spiritual confession with a mundane comment about government rationing, Judge ridicules the idea that Germany's leader genuinely regretted the war's devastation. It's satire suggesting his remorse is as illusory as a dimmed moon—a superficial performance masking continued belligerence.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
BAD BREAKS A Burbanking Expert—“The de fendant said she had apple and straw- BERRY TREES in her garden.” —Liverpool (Eng.) Echo What Boots Friendship?—"‘Old Abe Timms is looking sad these da All the old friends he used to HOBNAIL with are gone.” —Wellington (O.) News. Living Preferred—“ There is no rem- edy for grey hair. Dyno we don’t recom- mend."—The People (London). That Noiseless Look—“ Bedell little dreamed that as he halted in the roadway to light his lamps a pair of steel-blue eyes watched him qutetty.”—The Union Jack. Allin the Day's Work—“ In Belgium our Allies have been increasing their victory EVERY DAY SINCE YESTERDAY.” — Portsmouth (Eng.) News. Suppose Someone Else Said It?— “T have written my last message as war correspondent. Thank God!”—Philip Gibbs in Daily Chronicle. Nebuchednezzar at Home—“ Mr. T. Chissell had written that he would FEED off the grass in Maumbury Rings and endeavor to keep it in better condi- tion.” —Dorset (Eng.) Chronicle. Heavenly Restrictions The Kaiser's Repentance Hing the prophetic lines of the German dramatist, Grillparzer, in the final scenc of “Kénig Ottocars Gluck und Ende”: I lived not well in this great world of Thine, O mighty God! Like to a thunderstorm I swept across Thy valleys and Thy hills; But Thou alone, O God, canst wield such power, And Thou alone canst heal what has been wrought. “Srroyai qu’ Cétait aujourd'hui la pleine “Pitre bien; Cest sans doute d cause des restrictions qu'on n’en fait coir qu’ n mor- ceau. “I thought it was to be full moon tonight.” “Perhaps, but the government allows only = _ reduced portion now."—Le PéleMiéle (Pariz). No Place for Old Anon—“ All com- munications to this office must be signed. We positively refuse to publish UNANT- ous letters.” —Cissna Park (Kan.) News. Noblest Roman of 'Em All—“ Many local people will remember Martin Ryder, and will be pleased to hear that he is nowa CENTURION.” —Janesville (Miss.) Gazette. Brands from the Burning—“ Ad- dressing Canteen workers he (Mr. Churchill) said, ‘When cutting a tiger’s claws or pulling PAGs out of his jaw, one has to observe every precaution.’”— Brighton (Eng.) Argus. —De Nieutee Amsterdammer (Amsterdam). A Bully Stenog—“ Wanted, st- class Lady SHORTHORN Typist.”—Jrish Independent. Housebroken Instrument—“ Piano wanted to suit beginner; one READY FOR USE preferred.” —Irish Times. Blue Outlook for the Enemy—“ The attack was preceded by a VIOLET artillery preparation.” —London Daily Express. Some Armful—“ Now and then you might come across a gamekeeper, with HIS DOG AND HIS GUN under his arm.”— The Storyteller. 4 comicbooks.com