893.34/254
The Chinese Ambassador (Hu Shih) to the Secretary of State
The Chinese Ambassador presents his compliments to the Secretary of State and has the honor to submit for his consideration a request of the Chinese Government contained in a telegram from Chungking as follows:
Since the outbreak of the war in the Pacific, the U. S. S. Tutuila has been left unmanned and anchored at Chungking. The Chinese Ministry of War feels that, in view of the increasing volume of war transport on the rivers and the inadequate supply of vessels, it would be a valuable contribution to China’s war effort if the United States [Page 11] Government could agree to the temporary use by the Chinese Government of the above-mentioned vessel for transport purposes during the present emergency.
For the information of the United States Government, it may be mentioned that two British gunboats, the Falcon and the Gannet, have been assigned to the Chinese Government for similar purposes.
The Chinese Ambassador will be grateful if the Secretary of State will be so good as to refer the matter to the appropriate branch of the United States Government for their consideration.