It is indeed German; the topic is German imperial policy under Otto von Bismarck (in 1884, according to the file name). The headline makes the artist's serious claim, "The South Sea (South Pacific/Indian Ocean) is the Mediterranean of the future." In other words, the economic engine to be exploited. Down below, figures representing various countries struggle to gain control over parts of the global south. Up top, Bismarck reclines with his guidebook to domestic social reform, ignoring the importance of the colonial/imperial struggle below. The bottom caption is sarcastic/satire, having Bismarck say, "It's quite all right with me if other countries are busy down below. Finally I'll get some peace up here."