The Chairman.

Wednesday, February 5, 1964

Testimony of Mrs. Lee Harvey Oswald Resumed

The Chairman.

The President's Commission met at 10 a.m., on February 5, 1964, at 200 Maryland Avenue NE., Washington, D.C.
Present were Chief Justice Earl Warren, Chairman; Senator Richard B. Russell, Senator John Sherman Cooper, Representative Hale Boggs, Representative Gerald R. Ford, Allen W. Dulles, members.
Also present were J. Lee Rankin, general counsel; Norman Redlich, assistant counsel; Leon I. Gopadze and William D. Krimer, interpreters; John M. Thorne, attorney for Mrs. Lee Harvey Oswald; and Ruben Efron.

The Chairman.

The Commission will be in order. We will continue with the examination. Mr. Rankin, you may proceed.

Mr. Rankin.

Mrs. Oswald, have you become familiar with the English language to some extent?

Mrs. Oswald.

I have never studied it, but simple language I do understand.

Mr. Rankin.

We had reports that you made some study at the Southern Methodist University. Is there anything to that?

Mrs. Oswald.

No.

Mr. Rankin.

How about Mr. Gregory? Did you study English with him?

Mrs. Oswald.

Mr. Rankin.

Did you have any formal aid or teaching of English by anyone?

Mrs. Oswald.

I had no formal instructions in it, but a Russian acquaintance, Mr. Bouhe, wrote down some Russian phrases, and I would try to translate them into English.

Mr. Rankin.

Now, since you have been living with the Martins, I assume you haven't had any Russian friends to try to translate English for you, is that right?

Mrs. Oswald.

If you do not count Mr. Gopadze and the FBI interpreter, I have not been in contact with any Russians.

Mr. Rankin.

And there were considerable periods during the time you have been living with the Martins when neither Mr. Gopadze or the FBI agent or translator were present, is that right?

Mrs. Oswald.

Yes.

Mr. Rankin.

So have you been able to learn a little more English while you have been with the Martins than you had before, because of that experience?

Mrs. Oswald.

Only a little, I think.
At least it is very useful for me to live with an American family who do not speak Russian.

Mr. Rankin.

That has helped you to learn some English, more than when you were living with Mrs. Paine, who could speak Russian to you. I take it.

Mrs. Oswald.

Of course.

Mr. Rankin.

Do you know any French?

Mrs. Oswald.

No. Other than Russian, I don't know any other language.

Mr. Rankin.

Now, when you were with the Martins the Secret Service people were there, too, were they not?

Mrs. Oswald.

Yes, they helped me a great deal.

Mr. Rankin.

Did you object to the Secret Service people being there?

Mrs. Oswald.

No.

Mr. Rankin.

Did they treat you properly?

Mrs. Oswald.

Excellently--very well.

Mr. Rankin.

Did you object to their being around and looking out for you as they did?

Mrs. Oswald.

No.

Mr. Rankin.

How did the Martins treat you during the time you have been with them?

Mrs. Oswald.

Better than I--could have been expected.

Mr. Rankin.

Have you been pleased with the way they have treated you?

Mrs. Oswald.

I am very pleased and I am very grateful to them.

Mr. Rankin.

Now, Mr. Thorne is your attorney. I understand that he told the Civil Liberties Union people of Dallas it was all right for the Secret Service