Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-03-22
QUEEN ILLS ACT.
Man Who Drafted Abdication
Papers interviewed.
States in His Own Language How il
All Came About.
There Was No Misrepresentation Made to H.
dofss the Act.

washington. March 21.-Some days ago
formal card was issued by Julius
Palmer. secretary to ex Queen Liliuoka-
LAM OF Hawaii declaring that she never
had legally abdicated the throne and
that the abdicate signed by her was ir-
regular. The paper of abdication signed
by the ex-queen was drafted by General
now in Washington on pleasure trip.
General Hartwell, when asked for a
statement concerning the ex-queen's
abdication, dictated the following:
Il drafted the ex-queen's abdication
and jurat of allegiance to the republic
Of Hawaii and abjuration of the mon
archy under the following circum-
stances:
Paul Neuman, her legal adviser, who
came to Washington in the winter of 1893,
holding her power of attorney; Samuel
Parker, her last prime minister, an Ha-
waiian, and Charles Wilson, the last
marshal under monarchy came to my
Office the day of her arrest and told me
that she had intended to abdicate be-
fore. but had delayed for Mr.. Widemann
to talk it over with her, and that they
wanted me to draw the paper. told
them that If drew it there would be no
reading between the lines and asked II
she meant it and approved their coming
to me. They said she did, and that it was
the kind of document that was wanted.
told them 1t would not prevent her trial,
which was soon TO come off. They said
they knew it, and that her idea was that
things could be settled down and there
would be no further trouble If she should
resign and that this was her object.
Il looked UP such reference to loyal
abdication as l could find and drew the
document, which Neumann, Parker and
Wilson examined and approved verba-
tina. Wilson took it to Liliuokalani, who
proposed some trivial change, which was
made, and a second draft was drawn,
which Wilson submitted to her. At her
request another inconsiderable change
was made, and and a second draft was
drawn, which Wilson submitted to her.
At her request another inconsiderable
change was made, and third draft was
submitted to her, and returned to me by
Mr.. Wilson, who informed me that it was
exactly what she wanted. and that he de-
sired final copy, which was done. The
earlier drafts written out in clear con-
veyancer's hand by my assistant, are in
his possession in Honolulu.
1.-The three men wanted me to be one
of the attesting witnesses, which de-
clined to be, but at their request was
present when the document was pre-
scented by Neuman to the ex-queen, who
in a clear voice and calm and dignified
manner stated in the hearing of all pres
ent that she understood the contents OF
the document and desired to sign and ac-
knowledge, which she proceeded to dc
before a notary, Mr.. Stanley, who was
present at the request of Messrs. Neu-
mann, Parker and Wilson. There were
also present upon that occasion Mr.
Fidemann, her staunch friend; William
G. Irwin, a partner of Claus Spreckles
and an Hawaiian lawyer.
Mr.. Wilson then took the document
and asked me to accompany him to
President Dole. which did. He handed
the paper to Mr.. Dole, who quietly re-
marked that it would be placed upon the
files. Mr.. Dole or his cabinet did not
know of the abdication papers until they
were finally completed and executed
No Misrepresentation was made to in
duce Liliuokalan to take this step.
did not see her upon the subject until she
acknowledged the instrument, and the
gentlemen who were about her and
talked with her upon the subject and
who were her friends, would not, l am
confident, mislead her.
1.-THE document was published in the
Hawaiian and English newspapers. !
did not hear much about it, although
people said that she would have been
wise in taking the step earlier, and
thereby perhaps preventing the unfortu-
nate outbreak which occurred in the early
part of that same month"