A complete issue · 36 pages · 1918
Judge — May 18, 1918
# "Some Ware in China" — Judge Magazine, May 18, 1918 This satirical cartoon depicts what appears to be American diplomatic or military figures in an ornate Chinese setting, drawn by George Carlson. The title "Some Ware in China" is a pun on "ware" (goods/merchandise). The specific identities of the figures remain unclear from the image alone, though their military uniforms and formal dress suggest high-ranking officials. The elaborate Chinese decorative border and pagoda architecture frame what appears to be commentary on American involvement or interests in China during World War I. Without additional context about concurrent diplomatic events in May 1918, the precise satirical target—whether criticizing American imperial ambitions, specific negotiations, or military decisions regarding China—cannot be definitively determined from the visual evidence alone.
# Analysis This is a Red Cross fundraising advertisement rather than satire. It depicts an elderly woman in a headscarf holding fabric, with the caption "I HAVE GIVEN" and the question "She has given—who of us can say, 'We can afford to give no more'?" The image appeals to patriotic duty during wartime by contrasting the woman's sacrifice with readers' relative comfort. The text indicates this ran during the "second year of War" (likely WWI, given Judge's publication period) for the "Second War Fund." The appeal works through implied shame: if this elderly woman has already given, what excuse do wealthy Americans have? The message frames charitable giving as a moral obligation tied to national defense and military relief.
# "Freedom of the High Seas" - Columbia: The Gem of the Ocean This illustration satirizes American naval power and maritime dominance. "Columbia" (the female personification of America, identifiable by her classical pose and flowing garments on the left) appears triumphant amid churning ocean waves. The intricate wave patterns and swirling imagery emphasize naval strength and control of waterways. The title references America's assertion of maritime rights—likely alluding to debates over naval freedom and international waters during the late 19th or early 20th century. The artist H. Palmer depicts this as patriotic celebration, with Columbia dominating the seas as the nation's symbol of power and independence. The detailed wave work suggests both the beauty and force of American oceanic authority.
