The Prime Minister to-day at Chequers saw Mr. O’Higgins (Vice-President of
the Executive Council), Mr. McGilligan (Minister of Commerce and Industry)
and Mr. O’Byrne (Attorney-General) in compliance with a telegraphic request
made by Mr. Cosgrave on the evening of Friday, 27th November. The Prime
Minister had with him Sir John Anderson, Mr. Thomas Jones and Mr. C.P. Duff.
The Irish Representatives arrived for lunch, and the discussion began at
2-45 p.m.
Earlier in the morning the Boundary Commission had indicated that they regarded it as so important that the parties should be cognisant of their award
that they were despatching the Secretary of the Commission (Mr. Bourdillon)
with all the necessary papers to Chequers. The Secretary was requested to delay
setting out for Chequers until the Prime Minister had an opportunity of mentioning
the matter to Mr. O'Higgins. On his arrival the Prime Minister informed
Mr. O'Higgins of this; and, as Mr. O'Higgins agreed that it would be well for
the Secretary with the award to be on the spot, even if they did not avail
themselves of his information, arrangements were made for Mr. Bourdillon to
arrive at Chequers at 4-30 p.m.
The Prime Minister having referred to this arrangement Mr. O'Higgins then
explained the situation which had arisen on Mr. Cosgrave's return to Ireland
after his meetings in London on November 25th 1 [handwritten marginal note:
26th?'].
At 4-0 p.m. the Prime Minister withdrew and conferred with Sir John
Anderson and Mr. Jones. At 4-20 p.m. the Prime Minister saw the Irish
Representatives alone, and informed them that Sir John Anderson would see
Sir James Craig that evening.
At 5-o'clock, after an interval for tea, the Prime Minister very briefly summarised
the position reached in the earlier discussion. He said that there
emerged two alternatives, each presenting very serious political difficulties.
The one was to accept the existing boundary. That, in the view of the Free State
Representatives, would only be possible if it were accompanied by important
and far-reaching concessions on the part of Northern Ireland. They asked, not
only that prisoners should be liberated, but that the Catholic population in
Ulster should have their civic rights completely restored.
Failing to obtain these concessions there remained the second course - to
impose the award of the Boundary Commission. If this were done, and while
the Free State Representatives might formally accept it, the political reactions
would be grave and would undoubtedly involve the fall of the present Free
State Government.
The Prime Minister undertook to invite Sir James Craig to Chequers and
the Free State Representatives agreed to return to Chequers with a view to
meeting Sir James Craig at noon tomorrow, Sunday, 29th November.
It was agreed to issue a notice to the Press to the effect that conversations
were proceeding.
The representative of the Boundary Commission arrived at 4-30 p.m.
Although the Irish Representatives were not disposed themselves to see him
or to peruse the documents he brought, they informed the Prime Minister that
it would be with their concurrence that he should do so after their departure
that evening.
About 5-15 p.m. the Free State Representatives returned to town. At
5-30 p.m. the Prime Minister received the Secretary of the Boundary Commission.
Mr. Bourdillon handed to the Prime Minister the following documents in
duplicate:
(1)Letter from the Chairman of the Commission covering a Resolution
adopted by the Boundary Commission today (circulated herewith).
(2)A printed Memorandum entitled Sketch of the General Character of
the Boundary Line as about to be determined by the Commission.2
(3)An advance proof of a Chapter of the Commission's Report dealing with
the general principles forming the basis of the Award.
3
(4)A quarter-inch scale map showing the line as about to be determined by
the Commission.
4
[enclosure]
COPY OF A LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE IRISH
BOUNDARY COMMISSION TO THE PRIME MINISTER
21 December 1923
Sir,
As you will be aware the Irish Boundary Commission, at its interview with
representatives of the British Government on Tuesday, November 24th, raised
the question as to the giving of preliminary information in advance to the
Governments concerned as to the general character of the award about to be
delivered, and expressed the view that it was desirable that any such preliminary
information should be given simultaneously to both the British
Government and the Government of the Irish Free State.
It was suggested that in the first instance the information should be given
by means of an inspection of maps at a meeting to be arranged between the
representatives of the two Governments and the Commission; the date
suggested for this meeting was Thursday, 26th November. A letter was
despatched on 24th November conveying this suggestion to the Government
of the Irish Free State, and a copy of that letter was forwarded to the British
Government. Neither Government was able to accept the invitation for Thursday,
the 26th, and the Commission has been expecting to hear further with
regard to this matter, but has not yet received from either Government any
definite suggestion as to a date for the proposed meeting.
In the circumstances that have arisen it appears to the Commission to be
desirable that the Governments concerned should without further delay have
before them definite preliminary information as to the nature of the award
which is being prepared for delivery, embodying the line agreed upon by the
Commission. The general features of this line were approved by the Commission
and fully recorded with illustrative tracings in the Minutes of the Commission
of the 17th October: certain minor detail adjustments were approved at a
further meeting of the Commission held on the 4th November. It was estimated
by the Commission's advisors that the preparation of a full detailed description
with three sets of the necessary maps on a six inch scale would take six weeks
from the 17th October: the work of preparing this description and the maps is
now nearly completed.
Under authority of a resolution of the Commission adopted to-day, copy of
which is attached, I forward herewith for the confidential information of the British Government and the Government of Northern Ireland the Memorandum
referred to in the resolution, which I have initialled. I also enclose under
authority of the same resolution:
(1) A quarter inch scale map showing the line as about to be determined by
the Commission;
(2) An advance proof of a chapter of the Commission's Report dealing with
the general principles forming the basis of the award which is to be delivered.
This proof has not yet actually been corrected for the printer, but may be taken
as substantially correct.
Owing to the position created by Doctor MacNeill's withdrawal from the
Commission it has been necessary to prepare a report in some detail for presentation
with the award. This course had not previously been contemplated. In
order to allow time for the completion and printing of this report a few further
days are required. The Commission now proposes to complete and deliver its
award on Monday, the 7th December. The Commission contemplates that it
may be desirable in the public interest to publish the information contained in
the memorandum at an earlier date, but on this point the Commission will be
glad to consider the views of the Governments concerned.
