Mr. Liebeler. Do you recall that you told the two agents that you were unaware that Oswald had Marxist leanings, and that in a great deal of the conversation Oswald was critical of Russia?
Mr. Ballen. The difficulty in this thing is in trying to be objective on a conversation which occurred quite some time ago. In reading the newspapers—all I can say in answer to that is, that I am giving the best answer now to my memory and I gave the best answer then, to my memory? I have greater faith in my response today than in December.
Mr. Liebeler. You are not conscious of any difference in those two answers?
Mr. Ballen. Oh, yes; I can see that my answer on that day is not the same as my answer here today.
Mr. Liebeler. Assuming that was your answer that day?
Mr. Ballen. If that was my answer that day, that would have been my best memory and best recollection at that time.
Mr. Liebeler. Did you know anything about the relationship between Oswald and De Mohrenschildt?
Mr. Ballen. I knew that George had met this fellow. In the events after November 22d, the question came up in my own mind how did George meet this fellow. Prior to November, I didn't know how George met this fellow. George meets all kinds of individuals. He is a magnet for individuals who are not run-of-the-mill. I knew that George and his wife were making an effort to help out the Oswalds, and I think that this effort continued pretty near up until the time when they were leaving for Haiti.
George and his wife were visiting my home two or three or four times a week, and we played tennis two or three or four times a week. Sometimes more than that. And I know that quite frequently they came to our house at 9:00 or so in the evening and they would have just come from the Oswalds, trying to cheer them up. "And those poor souls are looking at the wall and fighting each other."
Mr. Liebeler. Do you remember that on or about April of 1963, there was an attempt made on the life of General Walker?