893.34/254
The Department of State to the Chinese Embassy
Memorandum
Reference is made to the Chinese Embassy’s memorandum of January 27, 1942 with regard to the proposed transfer of the U. S. S. Tutuila to the Chinese Government for transport purposes during the present emergency.
The Department has now received a communication from the Navy Department indicating that the Navy Department is agreeable to the transfer to the Chinese Government not only of the vessel itself but also of its stores and equipment and that the Navy Department is initiating action to effect such transfer under the terms of “Defense Aid”. It is understood that there is no other available method of transfer without obtaining additional specific legislative authority.
It is requested that until the transfer is actually effected and the vessel is taken over by the Chinese Government the matter of the transfer be considered as confidential.