Show shooting civilians according to the laws of war any civilian who la is found with arms in his possession is liable to be shot shat without mercy although this thia seems a very severe rule it Is absolutely necessary tor for the safeguarding of the w whole hole civil population the r ules rules of war say that no men will bo be recognized as combatants unless they wear a distinguishing badge which can be easily recognized it if it were not for this any number of men could at any time band themselves together and say they were belligerents it tl this its were allowed therefore invading troops would safeguard themselves against surprises by killing every man in villages through which they ma marched ached this particular ruly is so stringent that even a noncombatant who took up arms to defend his bla wife against some drunken soldier would bo be baba to be shot |