27 APRIL 1934, Page 2

* * * * May Day Anxieties May Day, which

falls next Tuesday, will be a time of anxiety in many European countries. While the choristers are raising their voices on Magdalen Tower men may be killing or preparing to kill each other in the streets of Madrid and Paris. In France M. Doumergue has aroused less opposition than might have been feared by his economy measures, but the resentment of the Civil Service is unappeased and on Tuesday it may openly explode. The extremists on both wings are far too well equipped with revolvers, and any beginning of disturbance may easily grow to something serious. In Spain rioting in Madrid last week was rather a warning than a climax, and Labour is still bitterly indignant at the lavishness of the amnesty extended to former agitators of the Right. Last Sunday's strike aimed at impeding the spectacular demonstration of the Acci6n Popular at the Escorial, and it did in. fact result in some reduction of numbers. But the parade was highly impressive, and Senor Gil Robles, the Acci6n Popular leader, may before long be the most powerful figure in Spain. The resignation of Senor Lerroux's Cabinet because President Zamora attached reservations to his signature of the Amnesty Bill may in present circumstances lead either to a return of Senor Lerroux himself with the same colleagues or to general chaos.