Simplicissimus, November 1913. Cartoon depicting the Zabern Affair: 'The Alsatian Bogeyman'. Germany annexed Alsace-Lorraine in 1871: A Prussian lieutenant used a derogatory term to refer to an Alsatian recruit. He then faced threats from the local population. The army responded by imprisoning citizens. The cartoon shows Alsatian citizens and a larger-than-life Prussian officer.