1 SEPTEMBER 1917, Page 2

Inasmuch as the Reichstag has hitherto had no sort of

hold over the Government And no right to co-operate in any way with the Federal Council, the "Imo Committee" is nominally a slight con- cession to the demand for Parliamentary government. But the Chancellor was careful to stipulate that the Committee should not

be regarded, asr representative of the Federal Councilor the Govern- ment or the parties, but as a "free general body" of experts, "enjoying political confidence" and offering advice which might or might not be taken. It is not surprising that the • Socialist Prom should denounce the "free Committee" as a sham.