T HIS intolerable thing of which the masters of Ger- 
many have shown us the ugly face, this menace of 
combined intrigue and force which we now see so 
clearly as the German power, a thing without conscience 
or honor or capacity for covenanted peace, must be 
crushed, and if it be not utterly brought to an end, at 
least shut out from the friendly intercourse of the na- 
tions. * * * * 
“Let there be no misunderstanding. Our present and 
immediate task is to win the war and nothing shall turn us 
aside from it until it is accomplished. Every power and 
resource we possess, whether of men, of money, or of ma- 
terials, is being devoted and will continue to be devoted 
to that purpose until it is achieved. 
“Those who desire to bring peace about before that 
purpose is achieved I counsel to carry their advice else- 
where. We will not entertain it.” — President Wilson. 
Message to Congress Dec. 4, 1917. 
