Bones

Photograph of bones being excavated about 200 yards from the bridge along the scenic loop road near Jones Creek.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Creation Date

1966-08-24

Photograph of bones being excavated about 200 yards from the bridge along the scenic loop road near Jones Creek.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Creation Date

1966-08-24

John Bull crouches as a bulldog labeled “England” on a narrow bridge spanning a river. He has a large bone labeled “Free Trade” in his mouth and is looking over the side. In his reflection in the water, the bone is labeled “Protection.”

Comments and Context

Cartoonist Pughe, in this cover cartoon, encapsulates the issues surrounding the Free Trade debate in Great Britain. The country was considering a radical adjustment to its policy of international trade, the resolution of which would have great consequences for the United States and the rest of the world. As far as spheres of influence and commerce, “the sun never set” on the Empire when trade was concerned.

For most of a century, Britain operated, successfully, on a mercantile system of Free Trade. It could, because of its enormous capacities, its military dominance, and the fact that it established the British mercantile system in advance of putative rivals.

An eagle labeled “Germany” and the Russian Bear relax after eating. Bones labeled “Shan-Tung” and “Manchuria” lie at their feet. Caption: Russia and Germany — Of course we want peace. It isn’t wise to exercise on a full stomach.

Comments and Context

Pughe’s cartoon is a bit disingenuous, or at least only a partial treatment of the Chinese situation in the aftermath of the Boxer Rebellion, but the matter was muddled. In the midst of troop withdrawals and the imposition of punitive indemnities on the Chinese, there was a scramble for lands, ports, and territories. The Empress, faced with reality and desiring to keep her throne, acceded to carve-outs from her nation. It was not only the Russians and Germans who feasted. Russia and Japan, neighbors of China, received the most real estate, and Russia outright occupied Manchuria. Among other countries granted spheres of influence and long-term concessions were Great Britain (Hong Kong), Portugal (Macau), and Japan was even granted control of Taiwan. 

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary thanks Dr. Von Gomez, on Roosevelt’s behalf, for sending the rabbit bone.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-04-24

Theodore Roosevelt thanks Ambassador Morgan for all he has done about the maps, although they arrived too late for the book. The elaborate map did not contain latitude or longitude and were not much use for his purposes. Roosevelt also inquires about some bones that were to be sent to him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-11-07