Life — November 8, 1917 — page 29: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This political cartoon depicts three figures walking together under the title "Columbus" and "The Link," with flags identifying them as Italy, Columbus, and the USA. The satire appears to reference early 20th-century immigration and international relations. Columbus—the historical explorer credited with "discovering" America—serves as a symbolic "link" connecting Italy and the United States. The cartoon likely comments on Italian-American identity and the role of Italian immigrants in American society, using Columbus (himself of Italian origin, claimed by both nations) as a bridge between the two countries. The caricatured military and aristocratic figures suggest commentary on national power dynamics or diplomatic relationships during this period.