World: Canada: This Very Sorry Moment'

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Turning his attention to the terrorists, he went on: "If a democratic society is to continue to exist, it must be able to root out the cancer of an armed, revolutionary movement that is bent on destroying the very basis of our freedom." He conceded that the War Measures Act conferred "strong powers, and I find them as distasteful as I am sure you do." But he pleaded for understanding. "I appeal to all Canadians not to become so obsessed by what the government has done today in response to terrorism that they forget the opening play in this vicious game.

That play was taken by the revolutionaries; they chose to use bombing, murder and kidnaping."

Like a Sledgehammer. Most Canadians seemed to endorse Trudeau's action, but there was evidence that some had forgotten who made the opening play. T.C. Douglas of the socialist New Democrats accused Trudeau of using the War Measures Act like "a sledgehammer to crack a peanut." At colleges and universities in Quebec, some students boycotted classes to protest the War Measures Act.

Laporte's execution is certain to inspire revulsion throughout Canada and the rest of the world toward the terrorists. Trudeau's hand will be immeasurably strengthened as a result, and he has demonstrated that he will not hesitate to use his power. The last play of the week belonged to the terrorists, who by their senseless savagery forfeited what little sympathy they had ever commanded. The next play will be Trudeau's, and it is not likely to be a gentle one.