So I don't think that he left the room happy—if I can use that term—in his attitude towards me.
I recall probing a bit on the subject of the formation of his attitudes towards Marxism. I developed at this time the impression that he really had no knowledgeable background at all of Marxism. I think I asked him if he could tell me a little bit about the theory of labor value, or something like that, and he hadn't the faintest notion of what I was talking about—I mean something basic to Marxism. And I probed around a bit as to the sources of his attitudes. And I think the only thing he told me at the time was that he had been doing some reading, and that is about as far as I got. On that subject, he simply would not be drawn out.
Representative Ford. Did you ask him anything about his knowledge of the Russian language? Did he volunteer anything?
Mr. Snyder. Yes; I did ask him a bit about that. He said he had been studying Russian. And, again, I had the impression—I don't recall—I may have spoken some Russian to him—but I at least formed the impression that he did not know very much Russian. I don't think he could have gotten along on his own in Russian society. I don't think he could have done more than buy a piece of bread, maybe.
Representative Ford. Did he converse with any other member of the staff at the Embassy, to your knowledge, during the time of this first visit?
Mr. Snyder. No, no; at this time he definitely did not. And I don't think that he did during the time I was there—unless it was simply a passing word with the receptionist, or something of this sort.
But as far as I know, he had no knowledgeable conversation with anyone there.
Actually, there were only—well, when he first came there were only two officers, McVickar and myself, and at the time I left, three officers, with whom he might have talked. And it is inconceivable that either of the other two officers would have talked to him, knowing my interest in the case, or if I were not there somebody would have done so without making a memo for the file and for me of the conversation.
Representative Ford. In retrospect, assuming the tragic events that did transpire last year didn't take place, and this circumstance was presented to you again in the Embassy in Moscow, would you handle the case any differently?
Mr. Snyder. No; I don't think so, Mr. Ford. You mean in terms of would I have taken his renunciation? No; I think not.