The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1895-02-01

Legal sparring, connected with the
admission of evidence relating to the
official commissions drawn up by
Liliuokalani for her new government,
was the principal feature of yesterday
mornings session of the Military Com
mission. The Judge-Advocate closed
the testimony against V. V. Ashford
at noon, when witnesses were put on
the stand by Attorney Neumann in
defense of his client.
The morning session opened shortly
after 8 80 o'clock. Charles Warren
was the first witness called, and told
his connection with the landing of the
arms, hut gave no direct testimony
against Mr.. Ashford. George Towns
end was sworn, and stated that he
assisted in landing arms from the
Waimanalo, and was on board the
steamer. After the arms had been
landed on Rabbit Island he came back
to Washington Place and reported the
fact to Sam Nowlein.
Attorney-General w. o. Smith tes-
titled that the first knowledge that
the Government had that arms bad
been landed was on the night of Jan.
9Th; knew nothing of it before.
w. F. Kaae, who has acted as the
ex queens private secretary since
January, 1898, furnished the testi-
mony that called for a difference of
opinion between Mr.. Neumann and
Captain Kinney. Kaae stated that he
did some work connected with draw
ing up the commissions for the offices
of the Liliuokalani government about
December %, 1894. There were eleven
commissions. Witness was instructed
how to fill them out by G. T. Gulick.
The ex-queen signed the commissions,
after which Kaae put them in an en-
velope and handed them to her; did
not know where they went to; thought
Mrs. Dominis destroyed them. When
the witness was asked to state the
contents of the documents, Counsel
Neumann objected on the ground that
the documents were evidence In them
selves. Captain Kinney stated that
the documents could not be obtained.
and he must place his evidence In
another form.
The Court retired for consultation,
and ruled that evidence on the con-
tents of the documents would be al
lowed, it being shown that they were
of REASONABLE intent, and the Judge
Advocate could not obtain them to
put them in evidence.
The witness then told the personnel
of the proposed government, with ".
V. Ashford, Associate Justice OF the
Supreme Court, G. w. Ashford Attor-
ney-General, as has been previously
published. He stated that G. w.
Ashford had called on the eX-queen
twice during the month of De-
cember, once during the trial,
of Bush and Nawahi; could not re-
member whether the visits were be-
fore or after Mrs. Dominis signed the
commissions.
On cross-examination Kaae said he
had been clerk for the late queen; did
all the writing for her; was guard at
the same time; she did some law bus1-
ness connected with the Dr.McKibbin
property at her home; commissions
were signed about December 2Sth at
Washington Place; after she signed
them the witness put them in an en-
velope and handed to her. Don't
know that anyone witnessed the Sig
nature; 10 one present but witness
and ex queen; had worked for her
since January, 1893. Witness made
his first statement at the station house
after his arrest. He was asked ques-
tions and told all he knew; asked II he
drew up the commissions and said
yes. When asked IL he had been
threatened before or while the state:
| ment was made, Kaae hesitated and
finally said, "They said to me I was
liable 70 be hung II 1 did not tell the
truth, told the truth" Mr.. Kinney
had talked with him. On being ques-
toned by Captain Kinney, Kaae ad-
mitted that he was told that the Gov
ernmebt knew all about the affair
and that he bad done something
which was punishable by hanging ;
he had not been directly threatened
| with hanging.
After recess Of half an hour for the
purpose of allowing V. V. Ashford to
procure some papers from his office,
| the Court reassembled at 1850. Mr.
Neumann announced he was ready TO
proceed and would call &. w. Ashford
as the first witness. The Court took
q recess until 1:15 p. m.