The caricature depicts the Second Hague Peace Conference, which was held in 1907. Representatives of the countries participating in the conference sit at a table, while the head of the meeting speaks to them. A giant figure in ancient Roman armor, which symbolizes war, straddles the table and looks down upon the meeting. The image of this figure combines the features of the Roman god of war, Mars, and the German Emperor Wilhelm II; such a combination served as a common representation of war at that time. The giant, who goes unnoticed by the conference participants, laughs at the delegates' attempt to establish a peace treaty. The text, to the right of the caricature, emphasizes the absurdity of such a treaty, because this conference is a discussion about “…Which is better, a bullet hole or cannon wound?”

Image: The National Parliamentary Library of Georgia