893.34/255: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 9—5:51 a.m.]
100. Your 68, February 5, 9 p.m. Embassy knows of no reason why the Tutuila should not be transferred to the Chinese Government. I might point out, however, that the ship is an oil burner, there is no reserve fuel supply available and the ship is small and of little value for transport purposes.
The British are making available to the Chinese Government the Falcon and Gannet at Chungking and perhaps the Sandpiper at Changtao.
If transfer of the Tutuila to the Chinese Government is made it should be outright with no thought of recovery after the War in usable condition.
Naval and Military Attachés concur.