Judge, 1919-01-04 · page 9 of 32
Judge — January 4, 1919 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Explanation for Modern Readers This *Judge* page contains three satirical pieces about post-WWI America: **"Confession"** mocks the debate over who deserves credit for winning World War I. The author humorously catalogs competing claims—the Marines, the British fleet, the Bolsheviks, President Wilson, even Wilson's typewriter—before absurdly claiming personal credit. The satire targets American self-centeredness and partisan bickering (Democrats vs. Republicans) over wartime responsibility. **"Cause and Effect"** uses a conversation between two Black men to satirize Republican electoral strategy. One attributes stopping "the Huns" to Wilson (Democrat), but the other boasts that Republicans' election will produce results—implying Republicans take credit for post-war conditions. The piece critiques opportunistic political messaging. **The lower cartoon** "Helping the Red Cross" depicts someone donating to charity (likely wartime relief). The remaining humorous shorts mock vanity and feminine pretense. The page reflects post-WWI American political divisions and the era's casual racial language typical of early 20th-century publications.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Confession By H. F. Vivtas HERE appears to be a well-contained | but none the less wid read con- troversy raging over the question: Who won the war? Most of our newspapers have attempted to beg the question by claiming that everybody won it. I, however, am a believer in “Credit where credit’s due,” and I should be false to my principles if I did not, even at the risk of violence to my modesty, put an end to a controversy that is, to say the least, not in the best of taste. I have encountered many widely diver- gent theories as to the identity of the party who won the war. My immediate neighbor in an armchair restaurant said that “we” won it. I gathered that he meant by “we” his family. A fellow straphanger shouted in my ear that the Marines did it. His brother, it would appear, was in the Marines, “and he didn’t wait to be drafted either.” A dear old lady with gray hair gave the credit to “our boys”; her boy was with them. A violent looking person said the Bolsheviki did it; I fled before he could explain exactly how they did it. A quiet, prosperous-looking man inquired of me “ Where would we all be but for the British fleet?” However, I suspect him of being a Republican. A Democrat said democracy did it; a humorist said the Democrats did it. A candy seller said “Fotch” did it with the Yanks. A newsdealer opined that the honor belonged to the Irish. Abootblack credited Italia and America with the victory. A gentleman who has been known to orate at Fourth of July celebrations said the spirit of 1776 did it. A subwayfarer who was trying to read the “ World” said Mr. Wilson did it; a chap across the aisle with the “Tribune” in his hand suggested that the real credit belonged to Mr. Wilson’s typewriter. Manicurist—All picked men in Captain Brown's company, I believe? Gladys—All but Sergeant Dobbins. No girl has picked him yet. Many of these theories are interesting, and it is no pleasure to me to have to confute them. Nor would I deny a measure of honor to the great Foch and his brave Frenchmen, the tenacious British and their mighty fleet, Victor Emmanuel and his irrepressible sol- diers; least of all to Uncle Sam. Butitis as well, perhaps, that the identity of the real war winner be not longer withheld. The fact is, I did it. Cause and Effect By A. B. Cnapsourne ‘Two colored men met at a peace celebration the day following the signing of the armistice. It was in a Colorado town and Colorado went Republican at the election a few days before. “Well, what do you think of it now?” inguired one. “Sure do look good,” the other replied. “President Wiinson sure did stop them Huns.” Draven by C.D. Saat Hetpinc THe Rep “Cross” “President Wilscn nuthin’,” retorted the first colored man. “Listen here, you Democrat niggah! Didn’t I tell you some- thing gwine to happen if we Republicans got elected? An’ we only been in a few days an’ look what we done!” Our Prehistoric Ancestors Kathryn Bonechisel—Do you get that shiner on Kate Stonchammer’s left lamp? Kittye Skinskirt—That’s nothin’ but make- up. She wants us to think a suitor has come a-wooin’. Their Ways “TL told that woman I saw her double the other lay, and now she won't talk to me.” You were too tactless. She thinks that there isn’t a woman on earth as pretty as she is.”” comicbooks.com ‘