New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-12-17
WAS CAPT. HALL 4 COWARD?
MAGAZINE ARTICLE REITERATEs THE
CHARGES AGAINST HIM.
RESULT OF ACTION OF COURT OF INQUIRY
NOT YET MADE KNOWN

captain Newt II Han, OF TIE MdlihS N0fPS, 49,
been revived by the publication in one OF the
Christmas unAsazines of an article wildly de-
scribing the struggle the wall or PeAins over
looking the besieged legations which emphasizes
by reteraton grave charges OF eowaralee asa
the young American officer. although II IS oeVo'eu
In the main 20 the Iaudation OF the other indi-
viduals who were prominent in the defence OF 'he
assaulted foreigners and particularly OF the Sec-
rotary of Legation, H. G. Squiers, former onees
Of the United States Army Mr.. Squiers was ehieN
Of staff to the British Minister. Major Sir Claude
Macdonald. the commander-in-chief OF the derehee'
and was highly eompllmented by his superior tut
his ability and foresight.
Beyond indefinite gossip altering out OF Feking
several months ago, the magazine article re1efreot
il the first publication which specifically renects
upon any participant in The famous siege, ana Hs
straightforwardness and apparent tmparuahty IA
its record of events have created profound SEN
sation in naval and military circles in Washing-
ton. Its disclosures have had the effect or ere
ating a deep impression that many unpalataole
facts regarding the assault on the legations nav"
been suppressed from the public. and that ugly ae
velopments may be expected when the whole truth
becomes known.
The key to the defence of tine legations. II ap-
pears from the article, was the retention oy tns
Marine Guards Of several hundred feet OF the wan
directly above the Legation compounds. from
which the Chinese had poured down whitening
fire until the position was carried by brilliant as
sault OF German and American guards VINO oas-
ricaded themselves the Americans holding strons
improvised breastwork facing the west ana the
Germans holding a similar barric,de toward the
east. The Chinese by diligently and insenioasiS
constructing successive wing walls gradually APP
preached the two barricades. and seemed about TO
overpower the small band OF defenders, whose am
muntion was nearly exhausted
HOW RETREAT WAS ORDERED
In the magazine narrative at this point, the fol-
lowing occurs:
About this tine scare sooS place EsiSs GA. ae ssos
behind the American barrcade the wall and d.. q
res9 had sbsndoned their position. An officer Of
The American Marine GoTps who n1 saG i iSmsd
a asS1 ordered retreat and our ned from
the works. tunoled pellmSn e down the 5sS nearest
Chinese breastworks and rushed panic stricken
into the American Legauon-
Captain Myers rallied the men and retook the po-
sition without difficulty but the steady Chinese aa-
vance continued. the American marines grew more
and more demoFalized, and the article continues
They accepted the theory that the pSsi Ssoor5 =
too fsmiI,ar from the lips cf one Of their own
ofacers.
| Other extracts might be quoted to show that the
writer either was exceedingly reluctant 70 diVulse
the whole truth OF a dsgraceful incident whiHn
had never been mentioned IN official reports and
newspaper correspondence or detailed in private
letters from Pekng Immediately after the rescue
or that he was bitterly prejudiced Observer Tor
the Secretary OF the Navy in MS annual report 10
the President says:
When the legations were assaulted the American
detachment Immediately occupied position on the
estsbshed an ipT6vised sand6as fort there which
enabled Them 20 defend the section on the val I
though repeatedly attacked by overwhelming num-
Utas from The wall they were never permanently
disiodged. but held this vital position until relief
came.
any intination that a blot had been put upon the
record of American valor at Pektng. but, on the
contrary. he says:
Official and unofriaI reports and particularly the
mspneH bore TIER fi share Of the burdens OF
defence during this memorable siege
MISSIONARIES PRAISE HALL
In the annual report of General Haywood COM
mandant of the Marine Corps, there is the following
! paragraph:
Under date of August q 1900 Major W P. Biddle
,Te5 70 the @SglafS ommandsnt
letter from the United States Minister 70 China;
passed by the American missionaries besieged in
the Courage. fidelity and patriotism 81 the Ameri
can marines who so bravely and tenaciously held
R Sn Key p 10 Fom Minister conges letter Of
transmission IL seems that he attributes the safety
| indefatisable defence maintained by the marines
under Captains Myers and Hall
General Haywood also quotes the following dis
patch sent by Minister Conger on July q BY mes
seuger TO Consul Ragsdale, at Tien-Tsin:
July g. Captain Myers American Marines. made
wonderful sortie. capturing guns and standards.
He was wounded slightly Chinese also badly de-
feated when they attempted night attack Foreign
ers hold Legation Street from French TO American
Legations and British north, all working at
barricades, trenches and lighting nearly worn cut.
rines have fought IKE tigers against fearful odds;
only Chinese cowardice prevented their hordes OF
savages masSacring our Nationals
The official reports quoted above written
early in November and since that time there have
been certain developments In the case which are
wrapped in great mystery. All the public has yet
been able 10 CLEAN regarding them is that Captain
Newt Hall Immediately upon the relief OF Pc
king appealed TO General Chaffee, commander
in-chief OF the American military forces in China,
to investigate the rumors which were being in
dustrously circulated in the American colony re-
iecting upon his honor as a soldier on account of
the incident the wall General Chaffee COM
piled and decided that Captain Halls conduct had
been fully justifabIe and no further steps were
necessary 70 clear his record. All the papers in
the case. consisting for the most part Of written
mitted through the War Department to the Com
mandant OF the Marine Corps.
ASKED FOR COURT OF INQUIRY.
This would have ordinarily ended the matter hut
the reflections upon Captain Hall continued 10 be
Tien-Tsin and he finally appealed to Admiral
Remey for a naval court of inquiry which should
thoroughly examine witnesses under oath ard
either his trial by court-martlal or vEiioata
him. This request referred to the NAVY De-
partment by the Admiral. all the Official Sapers
having been previously sent Washington. and
about month ago Secretary Long sent the papers
out to Manila and instructed Admiral Remev 10
convene the court These papers are about due in
Manila now finding ~ the court sbo,,y5