Who's Who in China (3rd edition)/Ch'en Lu

Mr. Tcheng-loh.

陳錄字在先

(Ch'en Lu)

Mr. Tcheng-loh was born at Min Hsien, Fukien Province, in 1878. He is a student of Chinese classics, history and philosophy. He became a Licentiate (B. A.) through competitive examination. In 1893 he entered the Arsenal School at Foochow, and studied science and French under the guidance of M. Medard. In 1896 he left this school to join Chekiang College, in Wuchang, and four years later was made a teacher. In 1903 Mr. Tcheng was sent to Paris by Viceroy Chang Chih-tung. He joined the faculty of Law in the Paris University where he graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Law. In 1906 Mr. Tcheng was attached to a special mission to European countries to study their constitutions. Tai Hung-che, Minister of Rites, and Viceroy Tuan Fang were chiefs of the mission. On this occasion Tcheng-loh visited England, Germany, America, Italy, Belgium and Switzerland. He compiled the voluminous reports of the result of the trip for the Court. In 1907 Mr. Tcheng passed with success the law examinations. In the same year the Imperial Manchu government detailed him to accompany H. E. Lu Cheng-hsiang, then Chinese delegate to the Hague conference, to Europe. He received the rank of Secretary of Embassy of the 2nd Class. In 1908, on being recalled to China, Mr. Tcheng was appointed Councillor in the Foreign Office, with the concurrent position of co-director of the Ch'u Tsai Kuan (a special school for high officials who desired to study constitutional, judicial, political and administrative topics). At the same time he was Chief of the Department for drawing up a constitution for China. He was duly given the degree of Ph. D., later he presented himself for the Imperial Examinations and was made Han-lin and appointed Compiler of the Han-Lin-yuan. In 1909 Mr. Tcheng was promoted to be Chief Secretary of the Waichiapu (Board of Foreign Affairs) a year later he became Director of Political Affairs, which office he retained during the revolution of 1911. In 1914 he was appointed Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Mexico. In August of the same year he was sent to attend the Sino-Russian-Mongolian conference at Kiakta in the capacity of Chinese Plenipotentiary. In 1915 President Yuan Shih-kai appointed Tcheng-loh Resident-General at Urga. In 1916 · Mr. Tcheng was ordered by Mandate to carry out the investiture of the Living Buddha, the spiritual and temporal chief of Mongolia. In 1917, worn out by the bad climate of Urga, Mr. Tcheng was granted sick leave and returned to Peking. After having helped the organization of the High Diplomatic Commission during the European war, he returned to Foochow. In April 1918 Mr. Tcheng was recalled to Peking and in May 4, 1918 appointed the vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs. He was in charge of the ministry from November 1918 to September 1920. In January 1920 Mr. Tcheng was conferred the first order of Wenfu. In September 1920 he was appointed Minister to France which position he is still holding. In October 1922 Mr. Tcheng was awarded the Fifth Order of Merit. In July 1923 he was appointed Chinese delegate to the League of Nations. Mr. Tcheng is the author of Historical Works on Mongolia and Types of French Documents.