4 DECEMBER 1920, Page 2

The Irish Government on Friday last arrested Mr. Arthur Griffith,

the acting president of the Sinn Fein organization, as well as Mr. John McNeil and other notorious Sinn Feiners. The Chief Secretary informed the House on Tuesday that the Government intended to intern persons "prominently connected with rebel organizations" and to accord them the treatment but not the status of prisoners of war. The numerous arrests made in the South and West will thus gradually free the population from the terrorism insti- tuted by Sinn Fein. It may be hoped, however, that the Government will not repeat Mr. Asquith's fatal mistake by releasing these dangerous persons prematurely.