The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-08-12
PRESIDENT D AIL
EIREANN DIES /: { ! ( i;
INFLUENZA! TOD ] A y
tcon.inued from page one.o
silitis. He was apparently regain
ing his normal strength during
the last few days.

x , = - lF :
The death of Arthur Gri it'll
marks the passing of one OF the
foremost figures In modern Ire
land. He was one Of the most con.
spicuouS leaders in the creation Oh
the new Irish Free State.
He was one of the founders OF
the Sim Fem movement in Ire
land and from the beginning had
been among the foremost leaders
directing its activities. He had
been somewhat out of the lime
light, however, during the recent
military activities which have
been largely directed on behalf OF
the Free State froces. by Michael
Collins, head Of the Irish provis-
ional government, set upn under
the terms Of the Anglo-Irish
Treaty
Mr.. Griffith was formerly an
editor of Dublin. and later esta b.
ed the newspaper United irish
men, followed by the Sim Feln
and the Nationality.
He first attracted attention by
: his uncompromiSing attitude tor;
abe stinction by Irish mem bers
from attendance of the sessions
OF the British Parliament at West
Minister. The idea gradually form
ed the nucelous OF the Sim Fem
Organization, which took the place
OF the Irish Nationalist move
ment In October. 1919. Griffith
was elected presiding officer for
the opening Of the Sim Fem con-
ference in,.Dublin. He was later
nominated as Slim Fein delegate
from East Cavan. During the
Peace Conference at Paris in L 919,
ne was chosen as Irish delegate
TO present the Irish case. but fail
ure to get safe conduct from
the British government prevented
his attendance.
In July. 1919. Griffith was
elected president of the Irish Ma !
tional Assembly in the absence
OF canon de Valera. who was in
the United States. In October of
the same year he was elected one
of the permanent vlce.presidentss
OF the Sim Fein organization.
Griffith was arrested in Dublin
in November, 1920. and spent
seven months in Mount Joy pri-
son. During his imprisonment he
issu ed a message to the Irish peo-
Die as to the conduct of the Sim
Fein organization. An attempt
was made to rescue him from
Mount Joy prison, but the armor-
ed car used for that purpose fail
ed to carry out it's mission.
The return of Mr. de Valera
from America was attributed to
Griffith's imprisonment, as Mr.. de
Valera, upon his return, resumed
the active direction Of the Sim
Fem affairs.
Early in June. I 921, there were
reports of London conference,
at which Irish leaders would be
invited to consult with mem berS
OF the British cabinet Griffith
was mentioned among the prob
able delegates. His release from
Mount Joy prison followed later
in the same month. Griffith ac-
com panied de Valera to London
in July, when the extended series
OF conferences was opened. Later
when the conferences were shift
ed to different points, Griffith was
appointed chairman of the Se1n
Fein. He was in London through
October, November and Decem Der,
carrying on the negotiations
which eliminated in Deem Der
with the signing of the treaty be-
tween Great Britain and Ireland,
which has since been approved by
the British Parliament and the
Dali EEireann.
ltCIIAtSIaU cernt @a,&,,,o $1,000,