CBS: Elmer Davis and the News
FDR has sent Sumner Welles to Europe
February 11, 1940

1). President Roosevelt has sent Sumner Welles to Europe on a mission to meet with the leaders of the great powers. The president had a number of reasons for choosing him for such a task. His knowledge of the issues, his close relationship with Roosevelt, his leadership of postwar planning, and his willingness to go outside the normal bounds of authority made him the logical choice for the mission. Perhaps most importantly, Roosevelt and Welles shared a desire to establish a claim to participation—and perhaps even leadership—in any future peace settlement. European leaders doubt the reason FDR has given for why Welles has come to Europe.

2). Russian attacks in Finland continue to fail.

3). German planes sank a British patrol boat. German machine guns fired on French propaganda broadcasters across no-man's land.

4). Demonstrations in London and Belfast over the execution of two IRA members.

5). American Youth Conference, despite rebuke by the President yesterday, continues its activities.

6). There is strong sentiment against imposing economic sanctions on Japan.