What do these lines tell you about the attitude men on Earth had toward any men on Mars?

It is curious to recall some of the mental habits of those departed days. At most terrestrial men fancied there might be other men upon Mars, perhaps inferior to themselves and ready to welcome a missionary enterprise.

If they existed, they could teach humans things.
If they existed, they would leave humans alone.
If they existed, they would be interested in humans.
If they existed, they would need help from humans.

Question

What do these lines tell you about the attitude men on Earth had toward any men on Mars?

It is curious to recall some of the mental habits of those departed days. At most terrestrial men fancied there might be other men upon Mars, perhaps inferior to themselves and ready to welcome a missionary enterprise.

 If they existed, they could teach humans things.
 If they existed, they would leave humans alone.
 If they existed, they would be interested in humans.
 If they existed, they would need help from humans.

jareeek · Answer

D