Life, 1919-05-29 · page 21 of 42
Life — May 29, 1919 — page 21: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This cartoon satirizes post-World War I international politics, specifically Japan's occupation of the Chinese territory Kiao-Chau (seized from Germany). The image shows a well-dressed man (representing Japan) proudly holding a small lamb labeled "Kiao-Chau," while a woman (likely representing Germany or European powers) watches. The satire targets Japan's imitation of German militarism and colonial aggression. The accompanying text notes Japan learned these tactics from Germany, yet now Germany has collapsed—undermining the model. The "Mary Had a Little Lamb" caption humorously references Japan's acquisition, suggesting naïve appropriation. The article discusses whether Japan will voluntarily return the territory and debates the League of Nations' role in enforcing such agreements and protecting developing nations like China. The broader point: military conquest and deception are becoming obsolete; honorable dealings should replace them—a theme ironically undermined by all powers' actual behavior.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
™ Mary had a little lamb" recovered from the Germans, and that everybody ought to think so Another influential Jo Iyenaga of Tokio, declared here the other night his confident belief that Japan would restore Kiao-Chau Dr. ta dinner nese, within two years One thir Japan to be so prevalent in Shantung that foreign in yood about allowing for a no other power can get there. It helps the expectation that she will pr her word about getting out, that Germany, who time, is there while she is sently make good for years has been the shining example, adviser and instructor of the militarist element in Japan, has given a full and protracted exhibition of the final con- sequences of lies, spies, propaganda, military coercion and thieving as governmental policies, and has to the any could make so brilliant a demon- tration to play the of the Western nations, it was natural that Japan, who is a pupil in that sport, should party. that made Germany its It is equally natural that the German col- gone scrap-heap, So long as Ge! of how game contain a strong pattern, lapse should he accompanied by confu- sion and loss of influence in that party. These last phenomena scem now to be going on in Japan. Self-preservation constrained Japan to become Western- ed, She could only do it by imite tion, and be blamed if she imitated what seemed to her to be the most successful of Western nations? In can she 945 the degree that lying and acquisition by force or wile go out of style, and polit- ical virtue becomes respected in Europe we may expect to see strengthened in Japan the element and the party that take pride in honorable dealings and forbearance towards the weak ar engagements fulfilled Na- tions goes through, there will be a Besides that, if the League of competent power to see that its mem- hers fulfill their political engagements. If the League works well, it should be the best possible nurse and defence of China, which is still powerless to de- fend herself, as she also is to develop her own resources, She needs all kinds of help, but should not he suffered to pay The function of the League promises to be to run which infant nations can he safe wh they are growing up. sidered, China is too dear for it greatest an international nursery Politically con- infa Poland and because of her size, nt nation as much as Russia or Mexicc population and natural resources, enormously impor- fant N Sic : Semper nuts! @ IMILIAN HARDE) of the ex-Kaiser to trial. He says at some length t William is of and never was of any real use, and lost hold the nation, and that it is a joes not all approve bringing no account now has quite his on German imag nity to breed sympathy for him by him hefore a court be true, and bringing may a Paris dis- patch says that the disposition to try William) is One he has been inquiring what has diminishing. reads hecome the fortune of ample Hohenzollern If he should get it back maybe he will for Society, if only he gets his clothes back and is allowed to live somewhere where So- go in He has a great of ciety can be cultivated. many clothes, including hundreds costumes of no use to him any more in ordinary private life, thou they might come in handy if he should go on the stage, and in Society could be worn at costume parties He is an embarrassment to Europe, and possibly that is the main argument for trying him. comicbooks.com