Steinbeck, Capa Pierce Iron Curtain, See Soviets Friendly but suspicious

"The Russians have a definite liking for Americans but are convinced that we plan to invade them," John Steinbeck and Robert Capa told the CRIMSON yesterday afternoon after debarking at Logan airport.

The writer-photographer team that has recently returned from a study of the Russian people spoke Soff-the-record? to the Nieman Fellows last night in Boston.

"The average Russian has no other alternative but to suspect us, because of the way Pravda interprets American politics," Steinbeck explained. This fear of American intentions persists, even though the Russians as a whole have been very favorably impressed with the few Americans they have seen, he added.

Grass Roots Survey

The aim of the survey, was not to discover secret weapons, Steinbeck explained. "We didn't meet a single high official and it was our aim not to, for all we wanted was to study the people."

Since they were not officially travelling as newsmen, the two encountered no hindrance from the Red "Iron Curtain," which Steinbeck says, "exists because of hurt feelings the Russians have gained from past experiences when news leaked out. Their policy," he stated, "is mainly one of retaliation."

No Poorer than South

Asked if he thought the Russian peasant was in poverty today, Steinbeck retorted, "Poor? Conditions are no different from any other sector. Take a tip down south in our own country if it's poverty you're looking for."

The average peasant is probably thinking that "the masses will eat tomorrow," as the result of this week's Soviet deflation program, Capa observed. "All he cares about is his bread and cabbage and how the end of rationing will mean a great deal more for him."