Evening star., 1940-02-25
Blood CIot Operation
Fatal 10 Smith Reavis
Of Associated Press
As Poris Correspondent,
He Inspired Pact
OutIowine War
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
NEW YORK, Feb. 24.-Smith
Freeman Reavis, 46, for 20 years an
editor and writer Of the Associated
Press, died at Post Graduate. Hos
pital tonight following an operation
a week ago to remove blood clot.
He was internationally recognized
as the man who. as an Associated
Press correspondent in Paris, in
spired the Kellogg BRAND pact out
lawing war.
Although Reavis always depre-
Gated his part in the history -mak-
ing development, the French Gov-
ernment issued book giving the
documentary background of the
treaty-disclosing Mr.. Reavis as the
"behind-the-scenes" instigator of
the pact which was signed by virtu-
ally every civilized nation in the
world.
Continuing a colorful news career
that had taken him to many domes-
tic and foreign bureaus of the news
organization, Mr.. Reavis in recent
years was stationed in the New York
Office where he was foreign news
! editor and later a writer on finan-
cial affairs, position he held at the
time Of his death.
Born in Virginia.
He was born at Hanover, Va.
November II, 1893, and spent most
Of his early life in the Pacific North
west. He was educated in arts at
the University of Washington, where
he was a varsity oarsman, and in
law at the University of Virginia.
Surgeons last week resorted to a
new technique of surgery to remove
the clot which formed in Mr.. Rea-
Wis abdomen. The operation, origi-
mated in Vienna and tried not more
than three times in this country,
consisted of a fishing expedition"
through the artery by means of a
specially constructed wire.
The clot was successfully removed,
and Mr.. Reavis showed improve
ment, but fatal complications de-
veloped.
Mr.. Reavis' connection with the
Briand-Kellogg Pact resulted from
what he modestly considered was
merely a case of thinking up an
idea for a good news story"
Asked BRAND for Statement.
The writer was head of the desk"
in the Associated Press Paris Bu-
reau. Early in 1927 he sought from
the late Aristide BRAND, then
Frances foreign minister, senti-
ment which might be transmitted
to the United States on April 6, 1927,
the 10th anniversary of America S
entry into the World War.
When Brands message reached
the Paris bureau, Mr.. Reavis found
this big news paragraph:
IF there were need of it between
the two great democracies Trance
and the United States) in order to
give high testimony of their desire
for peace and to furnish a solemn
example to other peoples, France
would be willing to enter into an
engagement with America mutually
outlawing war, to use your (Reavis)
way Of expressing it I"
Caused Sensation in Europe.
This idea, suggested by the cor
respondent, created a sensation in
Europe after foreign correspondents
in this country cabled the Associ-
ated Press dispatch back to Europe
A copy went to the State De-
partment in Washington. where it
was pigeon-holed until the follow
ing Christmas when President
Coolidge, whose attention had been
called to it by the late Jane Ad-
dams. Chicago's famous social
worker, ordered it studied by Ameri-
can diplomats.
Negotiations between the two gov
ernments quickly developed the idea
of a world-embracing peace treaty
and various other powers rushed
to join in the declaration.
Mrs. Reavis was with him at the
time of his death. The couple had
no children. They resided in Man.
haitian.