Life, 1914-08-13 · page 23 of 40
Life — August 13, 1914 — page 23: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical cartoon mocks the American colonial project in the Philippines, specifically the violent suppression of the Moro people (Muslim inhabitants of Mindanao). The headline's dark humor equates colonial military brutality with "efficiency." The accompanying text, attributed to "Hashimura Togo" (a fictional Japanese character created by Wallace Irwin for satirical commentary), critiques American "Efficiency Experts"—a popular Progressive Era concept. The satirist ridicules both this management fad and American imperialism by suggesting such experts could teach Philippine governors how to kill the Moros "efficiently." References include: - The Moro conflict (ongoing U.S. military campaign) - Colonel Goethals (Panama Canal engineer) - Anti-trust politics and corporate corruption The joke's bite: American efficiency-obsessed reformers ignore actual violence and exploitation in the colonies, focusing instead on trivial business matters. The cartoon sarcastically elevates imperial atrocity to a management problem.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“How to depopulate the Moros without wasting school-books” dered 462 Ibs useless pressure knocking gavil in hopes to make Cong Hobson set down. ‘666,452,893,001 words was smoked up in Anti-Trust speeches which could be saved by passing a bill or permitting American Tobacco Co to own America without com- plaint’” Cousin Nogi stand gast for this wis- dom I project. ficiency Expert could accomplish considerable in more places yet,” I acknowledge. “ He might teach Philip- pine Governors how to depopulate the Moros without wasting too many school-books. He might show New York, New Haven & Heartless Rail- road how to destroy itself in one wreck instead of a thousand. He might——” “Could he have showed Hon. Col Goethals kow build Panama Canal more quicker & cheaper?” require Nogi. “Gentleman what could tell that would not be Efficiency Expert,” I collapse. “What is he?" Nogi negotiate. I make no intellectual reply because I could not find sifficient contempt to describe a mere goat talking to a steam shovel. Hoping you are the same Yours truly Hasutmura Toco. (Per Wallace Irwin.) THE NEW TOY comicbooks.com