Finally, to prevent misunderstanding, the President reminded the German Government
that one of the terms of peace which it had accepted—in his Mount Vernon speech of July 4th—required " the destruction of every arbitrary power ,anywhere that can separately, secretly, and of its single choice disturb the peace of the world, or, if it cannot be presently destroyed, at least its reduction to virtual impotency." He pointed out that " the power which has hitherto controlled the German nation is of the sort here described," and added: " It is within the choice of the German nation to alter it These words " naturally constitute a condition precedent to peace, if peace is to come by the action of the German people themselves." " The whole process of peace will depend upon the definiteness and the satisfactory character of the guarantees which can be given in this fundamental matter. It is indispensable that the Governments associated against Germany should know beyond a peradventure with whom they arc dealing." " Beyond a peradventure " means that there can be no peace with the Hohen- zollerns, whose honour rooted in dishonour stands.
