Kuokoa Home Rula, Volume VII, Number 30, 23 July 1909 — The Claim of Liliuokalani, Former Queen of Hawaii. Statement of George B. McClellen Before The Committee. [ARTICLE]

The Claim of Liliuokalani, Former Queen of Hawaii.

Statement of George B. McClellen Before The Committee.

The Chairman. Ths disclaim3r ia all right, but I think in view of that letter Mr. McClellap is i* making the statement. Mr. HATCH. But I deny any eomieehon with any former minister of the United States on the part of the revolutionary government. The Chairman. I think there is no desire of the committee to connect you with k. Bu't I want to ask a question or two of you, Judge Hatch, before you go. I want to ask whether it is possible for this lady to maintain an action now under the laws of Hawaii in i*eference to these crown lands Eor the purpose of determ'ining the title? Mr. HATCH. I suppose she could only maintain an action for the ineome for the last six years. It strikes me that the statute'of limitations would depritfe her from going back of six years. ~ The Chairman. That is why I ask you the question. You better look that matter up and present it to the eommittee. If she ean under the laws now maintain an action, I do not know why she should not maintain an action. And it might be better for the Government of the United States to adjust the matter if an equitable settlement ean be made. What would you think of the suggestion A .jf one should be made, that the case should be sendJto the Court of Claims, giving the Court oE Claims jurisdiction to heur anql determine all matters growing out of this matter. Mr. McCLELLAN. Would not the result oE that be that it would require one or two yearsJto get the legislation permitting that, then it would require the former queen to live tea or fifteen years longer before we ean get a judgment? She has already waited HEteen years. The ChairmaN' But you know enough about legislation to know that in the matter of any claimant it takes a long time to get a elaim through. But let me suggest this: Suppose this case were send to the Court of Clairns, giving jurisdiction to that eourt to hear and determine all rnatter arising out of revolution down there, so far as the rights of the queen are concerned. Do not you think il it eame back from the Court of Claims to Congress with a favorable report from that court in her favor, that there wou!d be very mueh more liability for a bill relief passing Congress than it would be now?