Barbarism Vs. Civilization. England's Savage Allies in Her War Against Germany, broadsheet

(New York?), 1915. Irish propaganda targeting the British during W.W.I. from the Irish World of January 30, 1915. During W.W.I, the struggle for Irish independence was suspended, with the Nationalist forces splitting over support of the war. This handbill appears to be an effort to incite hatred of the British, with racist descriptions of Fijian soldiers, "the cannibals we may say" who fought for the British. There is a clear preference for Germany - "And these are the savages, the cannibals we may say, whom Britain is bringing over to fight the most enlightened nation of Melancthon and SchlegeL of Kant... of Mozart and Beethoven and Wagner, of Goethe and Heine..."

The text characterized the Fijians as cannibals, "dark copper colored, have black eyes and bushy hair worn in the form of a mop", short stature, protruding stomachs, legs bowed and feet flat, and usually nude. The photograph shows the Fijian soldiers standing at attention behind a British Officer, (photo by Paul Thompson).

The text of the handbill is extracted from The Irish World and American Industrial Liberator, published in New York between 1878-1951. Hand bill, 9 x 7 3/4", printed in blue on cream paper, verso blank. Creased with marginal tears and small margin loss.

Unrecorded on OCLC, although there is a W.W.I poster with the title "Civilization Vs. Barbarism" 1914, but associated with Red Cross Week. (OCLC: 894257435).