Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-08-13
CALLS GRIFFITH,
HEAD Of DAHL E|REANN,
FOUNDER Of SIM FEN
Collapse While Under Treatment at Hos
pital for T%onsilitis Brings End; Wa One Of
Leaders in Move to Obtain Dominion Status
for Ireland; One Time Follower Of De Valera.

Belfast, Aug. 12.-(By The Asso-
ciated Press.)-Arthur Griffith. presi-
dent of the Dali Eireann, died in Dublin
Saturday of influenza, it has been
learned in Belfast.
Mr.. Griffith was i'll only 10 days and
his illness was not considered serious.
Friday, however. he suffered a sudden
relapse and died early Saturday morn
ing.
His death occurred at 9:45 o'clock
Saturday morning in st. Vincent's hos
pital, Dublin, which he entered 10 days
ego for an operation for tonsilitis. He
was recovering from the operation and
apparently ~regaining his normal strength
during the last few days.
In fact, Mr.. Griffith mad responded
to his treatment so well that he was
able 10 leave the hospital daily for his
official duties, returning to the institu-
ton at night.
Saturday morning he ate a hearty
breakfast and vas going upstairs when
he suddenly collapsed. He was carried
into his room and a doctor was sum-
moned. He said Mr.. Griffith was suf-
fering from cerebral hemorrhage. A
priest was then sent for, and he had
just finished administering the last
rites of the church when Mr.. Griffith
expired.
Arthur Griffith was one of the lead
ers in the creation of the. Irish Free
state. He was one of the founders
of the Sim Fein movement in Ireland
and from the beginning has been among
the foremost leaders directing its activ-
tiles. He has been somewhat out of
~ 1-,-~ <La ~nnnnt vn,1s
tary activities. which have been largely
directed on behalf of Free state forces
by Michael Collins, head of the Irish
provisional government, set up under
the terms of the Anglo-Irish treaty.
Formerly an Editor.
Mr.. Griffith was formerly an editor
of Dublin and later established the
newspaper United Irishmen. followed
by the Sim Fein and then the Ma
tionality, both of which represented
the wing of the republican movement
.favoring dominion status for Ireland.
He first attracted attention by his
un~compromising attitude for Austen
ton BY Irish members from attendance
of the sessions of the British parlia-
ment at Westminster. This idea grad
ualfy formed the nucleus of the Sim
Fein organization. which took the
place of the Irish nationalist move
ment.
In October. 1919. Griffith was elect
ed acting president of the Irish Ma
tional assembly in the absence of
United States. In October of the
same year, he was elected n of the
permanent vice presidents of the Sim
Fein organization.
Griffith was arrested in Dublin in
November, 1920. and spent seven
months in Mount Joy prison. During
his Imprisonment he issued a message
to the Irish people as to the conduct
of the Sim Fein organization. An
attempt was made to rescue him from
Mount Joy prison, but the armored car
used for that purpose failed to carry
out its 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 Sim Fein affairs.
Early in June. 1921. there were re-
ports of q London conference at which
Irish leaders would be invited to con-
suit with members of the British cab
met. Griffith was mentioned among
the probable delegates. His release
from Mount Joy prison followed later
in the same month.
Accompanied De Valera.
Cr;ff;tb oooompapiad 10 Valera To
London in July, when the extended
series of conferences was opened.
Later when the conference shifted to
different points, Griffith was appointed
chairman of the Sim Fein mission. He
was in London through October, No