South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-09-22

"A l
A amazing parallel has been drawn
"A between William il. OF Prussia and
Genseric T.. King Of the Vandals
who overran a great part Of the civilized
Roman empire in the fifth century and
committed appalling butcheries
Genseric belonged 10 the same epoch as
those other infamous marauders, Attila the
Hun and Alaric the Goth.
This parallel is drawn by Poultney Bige-
low. who was formerly college mate of
the German Kaiser and IS known as a his
torian Of modern Germany. None is better
fitted 10 characterize the Kaiser. His last
book is entitled "Genseric King Of the
Vandals and First Prussian Kaiser and is
published by G. p Putnam's Sons
SO close is the parallel between Genseric
and William II. that if reincarnatiOn is
possible one would say that here is clearly
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 HOhenzolern dynasty.
In almost every phase of their lives the
similarity is astonishing
'Tienseric the first Prussian Kaiser"
writes Mr. Bigelow. was born about four
centuries after Christ. In that swamp and
sand district OF Brandenburg where now
stands the palace of Potsdam.
The barbarian hordes who prowled
about the frontiers OF civilized Europe in
the third. fourth and fifth centuries differed
little from their descendants who fifteen
centuries later swarmed across the Rhine
and destroyed sacred monuments in France
and Belgium In general the Prussian
Baltic which in our time furnishes the
most docile and prolific subjects Of the
Kaiser was famed for corresponding rea-
sons in the declining days OF the Roman
empire
TODD he name Vandal Is preserved
etymoIoc..aUv in the language and fea
lures OF the Nends or Wends who occupy
the spCnEy headquarters OF the river Spree
and are regarded bv the rich burghers OF
Berlin as a prolific source OF wet-nurses
These people speak the language Of their
Vandal ancestors To has been my fortune
20 study at first hand the chronological
peCuliarites Of every regiment IN the Ger.
man army from the French and Belgian
frontiers TO those Ct Russia and Bohemia,
and however loudly the Berliner may bel
ow his claims as 'Wir Deutsche!' ne car
les in his face and manners the brand Of
Vandalism-whiCh God has done for the
security of the rest OF mankind
"GenseriC became King OF the Nandals
when HIS years about eQualled those of his
ulustrious avatar. William H. that is 20
gay. about thirty wears OF age We behold
aim now taking command Of an army that
has for the past twenty-five years been
pushing and pillaging southwark from the
SponEy deserts OF Northern Prussia 10 the
banks OF the GuadalQuivir In the sunlit
paradise Of Southern Spain. which he
aaped Vandalusia IN honor Of his tribe
The Vandals did then as their success
TOrs have done since-they sold their ser
vices wherever they could find a our
chaser: they made promises which they
Kept when convenient. they pressed on
through the distracted provinces that are
now Belgium and France. and. thanks %
ne fact that other German tribes were
pressing az the frontier. the year 427 found
ionseric az the port OF Tarifa. not faI
tom the Rock OF Gibraltar. gazing across
,. the mountains OF Morocco and meditat
!nS a move that would fulfil the promise
made 20 his brother Germans Place ii
he Sun,
IS IL then strange that fifteen centurie.
lEfsr William II. should proclaim his right
b on African empire from the IndiaI
Ocean 20 the Atlantic solid central posi-
rtu- from which he may dominate the res
~ o. Dark Continent as he now dreams o
AEicating civilized Europe from Berlin
~ts~nseric from bOyhood up an his
AS<sn tells US. had occupied his vision
~ Beasnents with planning attack upoI