893.34/254: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in China ( Gauss )
68. The Department has received through the Chinese Embassy a communication from the Chinese Government requesting that the U. S. S. Tutuila at Chungking be assigned temporarily to the Chinese Government for transport purposes during the present emergency, and [Page 12] adding that the British gunboats Falcon and Gannet have been assigned to the Chinese Government for similar purposes.
Department understands from the Navy Department that the Tutuila has been decommissioned and that the Embassy is now using a portable radio operated by naval personnel. As assumably the primary usefulness of the vessel to the Embassy has been as a communications station, as communication facilities can apparently be continued ashore, and as there would not seem to be any practical use to which the vessel might be put in the interests of this Government, there would seem to be no reason for not meeting the Chinese request, if the Navy Department is agreeable to doing so.
Before a decision is made in regard to the Chinese Government’s request, the Department would appreciate receiving by telegram your comments and recommendations.