Editorial Cartoons of the Day  

Relating to the Philippine Acquisition 

 
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Philippines as 'elephant' "What will he do with it?" From the New York Herald 

The image depicts the Philippines as an "elephant" being fed by the U.S. "When a person has acquired something that is of no use to him and is a constant source of care and expense we say that he has 'an elephant on his hands.' The artist thinks that the Philippine Islands is Uncle Sam's 'elephant.' " 

'Goddess of Liberty' "The Goddess of Liberty heralds the day of Freedom for Cuba, Porto Rico (sic) and the Philippines." From an old unknown source. 

Depicts "Uncle Sam" relaxing in a chair as the "Goddess of Liberty" holds an American flag, and Filipino females gazing at the "Goddess." 

Manila incident "The Manila incident reflected in the faces of Europe." From the New York Bee

Depicts caricature of several countries: "Austria has a sinister expression; Germany doesn't know what to make of it; England is pleased; France is surprised; Russia is displeased; and Italy is amazed." 

"A long reach, but his arms are equal to the emergency." From the Boston Globe .

Depicts "Uncle Sam" standing, with arms encircling the globe. 

eyes of world "What will he do? The eyes of the world are upon him." From the Minneapolis Tribune

Depicts President William McKinley and a "Filipino boy" standing at the top of a cliff, near a sign saying "To Spain." 

Something lacking "Something Lacking." From the Minneapolis Journal

Depicts "Uncle Sam" saying, "Well, sonny what is it?" and "Phil Ippines" asking, "Where do I come in on this?"as other "children" (Cuba, Puerto Rico) stand by. 

US as 'eagle' "Ten thousand miles from tip to tip." From the Philadelphia Press

Depicts an eagle standing in U.S., its wing span covering Puerto Rico and the Philippines. 

Governor of Philippines cartoon "Puzzle Picture — Find the Governor of the Philippines." From the Chicago Journal

Depicts General Wesley Merritt and U.S. Commodore George Dewey smoking and sitting on top of Emilio Aguinaldo, who is wearing a crown, on Luzon. 

Dewey eye-opener "Dewey's eye-opener." From the New York World .

Depicts Europe stunned by the emergence of a new superpower after Commodore George Dewey's victory at the Battle of Manila Bay. 

McKinley as Commander-in-chief "Commander-in-chief." From the Washington Post .

"President McKinley for many years has been represented as Napoleon, both on account of his remarkable resemblance to the 'little corporal' and because his successful methods in politics compared with those of Napoleon in war. He is shown in the above picture in the character of Napoleon leading the armies of the United States to victory." 

Quiet little game "A Quiet Little Game." From the Philadelpha Inquirer .

The "poker chips" on the table include Philippines, Cuba, Ladrona, Carolinas; onlookers include Russia, Italy, Japan, and Germany. 

The cartoon's caption: "Chorus - 'I wonder what card Uncle Sam has in his hand.' " 

Holding his end up "Holding his end up." From the Philadelpha Inquirer

Depicts "Uncle Sam" with Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and Cuba on top of him, Philippines in his right hand, and Ladrone in his left hand; he is standing on Army and Navy. "The sudden strength displayed by Uncle Sam was a great surprise to Europe. Even his friend and kinsman, John Bull [England], did not think him capable of such an athletic performance as he is giving in the above picture, standing on the firm support of the army and navy." 

George Washington as 'stepfather' "Overheard in the National Art Gallery." From the Minneapolis Journal

Depicts two "Americanized" children (Puerto Rico and Hawaii) representing the newly acquired colonies of the U.S. admiring their "step-father", with one child saying: "Porto Rico — 'I reckon he must be our stepfather — eh, Hawaii?' " The third child "Phil Ippines" [represented in real person by Trinidad-H. Pardo de Tavera --PAWCI] is absent, busy writing his speech below that reads: 

"I see the day near at hand when it shall transpire that George Washington, will not simply be the glory of the American continent but also our glory, because he will be the father of the American world, in which we shall feel ourselves completely united and assimilated." 

--Trinidad-Hermenegildo Pardo de Tavera, first President, Partido Federal, first Philippine political party during the American occupation, in his innaugural speech, February 22, 1901.

Cartoon from Unknown Source.

Depicts President William McKinley turning down a Filipino begging to be taken as one of the new "children" of the U.S., together with Cuba, Hawaii and Puerto Rico, for the main reason that they don't want "another negro problem." The Filipino in the cartoon represents the PartidoFederal,  led by T-H Pardo de Tavera whose assimilation platform was for a Philippine U.S. statehood.

Hold on, Dewey "Hold on there, Dewey! The war is over!" From the Chicago Journal

Depicts "Uncle Sam" fighting, with Protocol of Peace Treaty on ground behind him. "Admiral Dewey in cooperation with the troops of General Merritt compelled the surrender of the city of Manila the day after the peace protocol was signed. Uncle Sam could not notify the fighting admiral in time to prevent him from attacking the Spanish troops." 

Yankee pig "The much despised 'Yankee pig' - Spanish version. Quite a factor in international politics nowadays." From the Philadelphia Inquirer

"The Spaniards invariably referred to the Americans as 'Yankee pigs.' In the above cartoon the nations of Europe are viewing the educated pig who has just finished writing terms of peace — a remarkable feat for a pig. It will be noticed that the British lion stands apart from the other European animals." 

Balangiga "Kill every one over ten." From the New York Evening Journal ,
May 5, 1902. 

Depicts children "over ten" about to be executed by the American soldiers in retaliation to the Balangiga incident through the orders of General Jacob "Howling Jake" Smith --to make "the interior of Samar. . .a howling wilderness." 

The cartoon's caption says: "Criminals because they were born ten years before we took the Philippines." 

Notes: 

  • The cartoons "Overheard in the National Art Gallery" and "Kill every one over ten" are from the Minneapolis Journaland New York Evening Journal , respectively.  
  • All other editorial cartoons and quotes are from the book "Exciting Experiences in Our Wars with Spain and the Filipinos ," edited by Marshall Everett, The Educational Co., Chicago, 1899.  

 
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Philippine-American War Centennial Initiative (PAWCI)