British

A bruised John Bull offers a “Tonic” of “Financial Help” and “Liberal Treatment” to an injured and battered Paul Kruger, President of the South African Republic, following the end of the fighting in South Africa.

comments and context

Comments and Context

Puck consistently had taken the side of Great Britain through the Boer War in its editorials and cartoons. In similar fashion, as the South African nationalists under “Oom Paul” finally were defeated in the Transvaal and Orange Free State, cartoonist Pughe almost immediately depicted the terms of surrender in the most generous light. After negotiations, some of them contentious, a treaty  was signed, stipulating that the “Republic of South Africa” and the Orange Free State would be formal colonies of Great Britain, with promised timetables for increased rights and eventual independence.

Britannia, carrying a large white flag labeled “Civilization” with British soldiers and colonists behind her, advances on a horde of natives, one carrying a flag labeled “Barbarism.” Caption: Though the process be costly, the road to progress must be cut.

comments and context

Comments and Context

This cartoon is a virtual poster, or an emblem, of the colonialist mentality of the day. Africa is the setting. The British had just subdued the Dutch-descended Boers, in southern Africa. In the rest of the continent, the Belgians brutally dealt with uprisings in the Congo; and the German government gobbled up what practically was the last “free” land for colonials in southwest Africa. Almost exactly eight years subsequent to this cartoon’s publication, former president Theodore Roosevelt emerged from a long safari in Africa and, invited to speak in Cairo, Egypt, lectured the British about proper colonial administration — “or leave Egypt.”

Mr. and Mrs. Newrich and their daughter consult with a man who is using “Burke’s Peerage” to trace the lineage of a prospective son-in-law. Caption: Mrs. Newrich — You say Lord Naryared’s family only goes back to Charles II. / The Heraldic Expert — Yes; to Charles II. / Papa Newrich — Great Scott! Judging from what he owes I thought he must go back to William the Conqueror!

comments and context

Comments and Context

This Nankivell cartoon is on the contemporary mania of the rich, and especially the nouveau riche, to lust after, and sometimes “purchase” titles of nobility and royal lineage before marriages were arranged. A popular theme of cartoons was that phony titles were as common as the bankrupt estates of suitors.

President Roosevelt selfishly hopes that Cecil Spring Rice will be stationed at the British Embassy in Washington, D.C. If Spring Rice is sent, Roosevelt would like to show him the maps submitted in the Alaska boundary case which show that the Canadians had no case. Events at the Isthmus of Panama have come to a head. The Colombians were corrupt, incompetent, and impossible to deal with.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-11-09

Theodore Roosevelt feels that they have rendered “real service” to the Allies and to Belgium, but he is very disappointed that America has not done more and did not stand up in “effective fashion” when American citizens were murdered on the high seas. He expresses his warm admiration for Sir Gilbert and the Canadian people, as well as the people of the British Empire as a whole for what they have done.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1915-10-16

Theodore Roosevelt critiques a chapter of Elbert F. Baldwin’s book, The World War: How it Looks to the Nations Involved and What It Means to Us.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-11-17

Stewart Edward White asks Theodore Roosevelt for help securing the licenses and permissions to hunt in Kenya and the German colony, Tanzania. Gaining such licenses for himself, R. J. Cuninghame, and his brother is difficult because of the requirements of the different countries. White hopes Roosevelt will be able to help or have a suggestion of who he might apply to.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-11-22

The writer describes a trip he took to Las Palmas, in the Canary Islands, onboard a German ship. He had heard about the high quality of German passenger lines, and he reports his experience onboard very favorably. The writer also comments about the strained relations between the English and the Germans.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-07-16