Army Moves Spy Suspect to Secure Base

The Army on Thursday moved from Georgia to Maryland a soldier suspected of spying for the Warsaw Pact. Pentagon officials meanwhile expressed some optimism that the security breach might not be as severe as originally feared.

Lt. Col. John Chapla, an Army spokesman, said Warrant Officer James W. Hall III was transferred under guard from Ft. Stewart, Ga., where he was assigned, to Ft. Meade, Md., outside Washington.

The spokesman said Hall, 30, was moved to “facilitate security,” noting the base at Ft. Meade has “secure facilities” that can be used for a court-martial that entails use of classified material as evidence.

Chapla said Hall had not been formally charged with any crimes but was being detained under the Uniform Code of Military Justice on suspicion of espionage. He can be held for up to three days on that basis, Chapla said.

Defense Department sources, meanwhile, said Hall had begun cooperating with investigators shortly after his arrest Wednesday.

“And, when all is said and done, it doesn’t look too bad,” insisted one official, speaking on condition that he not be named.