December 23 1924
THE Boundary Commissioners left Derry yesterday afternoon by the mail train for Dublin, whence Mr Justice [Richard] Feetham and Mr [Joseph R] Fisher crossed to London last night.
Just before leaving they issued the following communique, which was handed by the secretary to press representatives: -
“The Irish Boundary Commission concluded its preliminary tour at Derry today. During their fortnight’s stay in Ireland the Commissioners have travelled a considerable area and have met in a private, informal way representatives of various public bodies, deputations representing different public interests, and prominent citizens. They appreciate the courtesy with which they have been received and the opportunities which have been afforded them of gathering information and of hearing something of the views of different sections.
“It is, of course, understood that statements made at these informal interviews do not take the place of the written representations which the Commission has announced its readiness to receive, and which should be sent in to its London office, 6 Clements Inn.
“The Commissioners’ movements have been reported in the press from day to day. The Commission, while not responsible for these reports, recognise that this work of the press representatives has served a useful purpose.
“Some statements have also appeared in the press as to the proceedings at the private interviews which have taken place between the Commission and deputations. No reports of any interviews have been authorised by the Commission, and some of the statements which have appeared are of a misleading character.
“It is necessary to refer more particularly to statements published today to the effect that a Nationalist deputation, which met the Commission at Derry, received an assurance, or were given an assurance, or were given information that the Commission would not have regard to historic considerations. This statement is incorrect. The deputation received no such assurance and were given no such information.
“The gentleman supplying this report to the press appears to have misunderstood a hint given to the deputation as to the inadvisability of entering into long historical disquisitions in the formal statements of the case which the deputation proposed to put before the Commission.
“At the same time the attention of the deputation was drawn to the terms of reference. They were told that historical considerations which could be shown to have a bearing on the terms of reference would not be excluded, and reference was made to the bearing of history on geographical questions”.
While the Boundary Commission refuted the claim that it would not have any regard to historical considerations, crucially, it did not deny the ascertain that there would be no plebiscite, something most nationalists were calling for.
