Life — December 16, 1915 — page 10: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Political Cartoon Analysis: "The Truth About Our Navy" This satirical piece by J. Hounder Baltimorford examines claims about American naval strength during what appears to be a peace/disarmament period. The main cartoon shows **Lady Liberty/Britannia seated on a throne labeled "Neutrality,"** while a jester figure below her gestures dismissively—likely representing political figures or public opinion minimizing military preparedness. The accompanying article humorously documents conversations with government officials about actual naval capacity. Officials claim the navy consists of "two hundred and one battleships, two hundred and four cruisers, five hundred submarines"—figures that seem exaggerated or fictional. The satire mocks both the vagueness of official statements and public complacency about military readiness. The smaller cartoon jokes: "My name? Why, I'm the original round-robin!"