"the man who was engaged in being hanged was apparently about thirty-five years of age. he was a civilian, if one might judge from his habit, which was that of a planter. his features were good--a straight nose, firm mouth, broad forehead, from which his long, dark hair was combed straight back, falling behind his ears to the collar of his well-fitting frock coat. he wore a mustache and pointed beard, but no whiskers; his eyes were large and dark gray, and had a kindly expression which one would hardly have expected in one whose neck was in the hemp. evidently this was no vulgar assassin. the liberal military code makes provision for hanging many kinds of persons, and gentlemen are not excluded."
what does the author want the reader to infer about the nature of war from this selection?
a. war is a natural course of action for human beings.
b. military events consist of two clear-cut sides clashing against each other.
c. war does not distinguish between military and civilian acts of aggression.
d. in war civilian casualties must be avoided at all cost.