Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-11-27
Prelude 10 Round-Ifn

DUBLIN, Nov. 26-Authoritatire
information was given the Associated
Press this evening that the arrests
today of Arthur Griffith, founder OF
tho Sim Fein. and John MacNeill and
r.. j. Duggan. Sim Fein members Of
parliament and others. was the pre-
lude TO contemplated roundup of a
number OF well-known men either
actually or believed to be connected
with The Irish republican move.
ment. .5
Some form OF internment Is
planned and it Is intended to hold
the lot of them indefinitely" the cor
respondent was told.
Arthur Griffith, founder of the Sim
Fein organization, Professor John
MacNeill. Sim Fein member of
Parliament for Londonderry city and
the National University of Ireland.
together with n number OF others, In
cludinG Professor NacNelli's son.
were arrested today by the auxiliary
police. Mr.. Grinith was to have ad-
dressed n meeting OF the Irish Self
Determination League at Manchester
next Sunday.
Active Spokesman.
In the absence in America OF
Ea;ioin IL dc Ha.era, president of tha
Irish republic" Arthur Grinith has
been probably the most active spokes-
man in Ireland for the cause of Irish
freedom. Last night. in an inter
view. he charged tho policy or re-
prisals in Ireland was determined
upon by England more than year
ago and inaugurated last March with
the assassination OF Lord Mayor Mac
Curtain, of Cork.
Everybody in Ireland deplored the
bloodshed. Mr.. Griffith said. but
England started 1t, and she could
get 1t stopped in twenty-four hours
If she SO wished"
He disclaimed any responsibility
for the operations OF tho murder
gang" the existence OF which was
charged by Sir Hainar Greenwood.
Chief Secretary for Ireland, in re-
cent speech. The real murder
gang" was in Dublin Castle, Mr..
Griffith declared.
Taken From He'd.
a statement Issued from Dublin
Castle. the seat of. the government.
with regard to the Griffith arrest
read: Arthur Griffith was arrested
at his residence In st. Lawrence Road
at y. NJ. a large quantity OF lit
erature was taken from his house.
No arms were found. He was in
bed at the time and was taken away
in motor lorry. He made no state
ment. His arrest was effected with
out trouble"
In addition to Arthur Griffith, head
OF the Sim Fein. and John MacNen!
commander OF the Irish volunteers,
police and military took many lesser
officials 80 Jail.
Among these were Joseph Mac
Bride and Michael Stalnes, members
CT Parliament.
Great sheafs OF documents were
seized in the raids which began long
before dawn.
Similar to 1916 .Drive.-
The drive" was similar to tha;
following tho Easter rebellion o,
1915
Arthur Griffith was one of the arst
arrested.
Many were seized in their beds In
the early morning. hustled into scpnty
clothing and rushed to Jail. The jaIs
were filled to overfowing. and spare
rooms in Dublin Castle and other
buildings were used as cells
Guards paced before mapy buildings
never designed as jails.
Mounted officers dashed about the
city. Motor lorries androther vehicles
roared In their wake to pick up loads
of prisoners and documents.
Squads of police and soldiers were
sent into almost every section OF ths
city. where suspected or known Sinn
Feiners resided.
Guard Not Relaxed.
The guard. Imposed after the Sun
day murders. had not relaxed ana
efforts to flee the city were vain.
Police and soldiers blocked every exit,
So many additionai troops had boen
brought in that the regular space was
more than nlled and the men were
established In camps.
Today.s offensive" against t,,.
Sim Fein organization and the re,
publican',sarny was copsidsred the
scoasiausa on :. Second 1ss5