Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-09-22

A amazing parallel has been drawn
~ between William II. of Prussia and
Genserc L.. King Of the Vandals.
who overran n great part of the civilized
Roman empire in the fifth century and
committed appalling butchcrics.
Genseric belonged 10 the same epoch as
those other infamous maraudcrs, Attila the
Hun and Aaric the Goth
This parallel is drawn by Poultuey Bige.
low, who was formerly a college mate of
the German Kaiser and is known as his
torian Of modern Germany. None is better
htted TO chara cterize the Kaiser His last
book is entitled "GenseriC. King OF the
Nan"als and First Prussian Kaiser" and is
published by G. p. Putnam's Sons.
SO close is the parallel between Genserio
and William H. that if rcincarnntion is
possible one would say that here is clearly
q case. The ancient Vandals lived in and
near Berlin. and Genseric was born not
far from Potsdam. The famous home OF
William II. and the EIohenZollern dynasty
In almost every phase Of their lives the
similarity is astonishing.
Genscric. the first Prnssian Kaiser"
writes Mr.. Bigelow. was born about four
centuries after Christ. in that swamp and
sand district OF Brandcnburg where now
stands the palace of Potsdam.
The barbarian hordes who prowlcd
about the frontiers of civilized Europe in
the third, fourth and fifth centuries differed
little from their descendants who fifteen
centuries latcriswarRnd across the Rhine
and destroyed sacred monuments in France
and Belgium. In general the Prussian
Baltic. which in our time furnishes the
most docle and prolific subjects OF the
Kaiser. was famed for corresponding rea-
sons in the declining days Of the Roman
empire.
To-day the name Vandal is preserved
etymologically in The language and fea-
lures OF the Nends. or Wends who occupy
the spongy headquarters OF the river Spree
and are regarded by the rich burghers of
Berlin as prolific source of wet-nurses.
These people speak the language OF their
Nandal ancestors. Ii has been my fortune
TO study al first hand the chronological
peculiar,ies OF every regiment in the Ger.
man army from the French and Belgian
frontiers 10 those Of Russia and Bohemia
and however loudly the Berliner may bel
low his claims as Wiz Deuische' lie car
ries in his face and manners the brand OF
Vandalism which God has done for the
security or the rest OF mankind.
"Genserc became King OF the Vandals
when his years about cQualled those of his
illustrious aNatar. William H.; that is TO
say, about thirty years Of age We behold
him now taking command OF an army that
mas lot the past twenty-five years been
pushing and piilaging southwark from the
spongy deserts OF Northern Prussia TO tho
banks OF the GuadaiGuivir in the sunlit
paradise OF Southern Spain, which he
napled Eandalusa in honor OF his tribe"
The Vandas did then as their success.
sors have done since-they sold their ser
vices wherever they could find a pur.
chaser; they made promises which they
kept when convenient; they pressed on
through the distracted provinces that arc
now Belgium and France. and. thanks Ia
the fact that other German tribes were
pressing a. the frontier. the year 427 found
Genser!c at the port of Tarifa. not far
from the Rock of Gibraltar. gazing across
at the mountains of Morocco and meditat
ing move that would fulfil the promise
made 10 his brother Germans--a Place il
the Sun.
Is it then strange that fifteen centurie:
later William II. should proclaim his righ
to an African empire from the indiar
Ocean to the Atlantic--a solid central posi-
ton from which he may dominate the res
of the Dark Continent as he now dreams O
dominating civilized Europe from Berlin
"Genseric from boyhood up" an his
terrain tells u.s. had occupied his vision
airy moments with planning an attack upol