Who's Who in China (3rd edition)/Hsu Wei-chen

Dr. Showin Wetzen Hsu

徐維農学旭瀛

(Hsu Wei-chen)

Dr. Showin Wetzen Hsu was born in Tunghsiang Hsien, Chekiang province, in 1881. In 1898 he entered Nanyang College, Shanghai, and after his graduatior. he was sent by that College to America for further pursuance of study. He arrived there in the spring of 1905 and joined the Hastings Law School of the University of California. After the San Francisco earthquake and fire in April, 1906, he went to the University of Chicago to continue his law studies. In order to specialize in Political Science. International Law and Diplomacy under Dr. Harding, Dr. Woodburn and Professor Hershey, he entered the University of Indiana in the fall of 1908, where he received a law degree the following year. In the latter part of 1909 Dr. Hsu was recalled by the Ministry of Communications and was appointed as a legal adviser in the Councillor's Department. In 1910 he was appointed to the position of a legal adviser to the Naval Commission. In August he passed successfully the Competitive Examination given to the returned students. In December when the Ministry of the Navy was established he was appointed the Judicial Officer of the said Ministry. In 1911 when he took the Palace Examination he was awarded the M. A. degree and was appointed Secretary of the Ministry of Education. In the same year he was appointed by the Ministry of Communcations as Chief of the Bureau for Foreign Affairs in the Directorate-General of the Chinese Railways. In July when war between Italy and Turkey broke out he was specially commissioned by the Ministry of Navy to consult the Ministries for Foreign Affairs and Army to devise ways and means for China's neutrality. While connected with the Ministry of Navy he wrote and translated many important works on Naval Laws and Regulations. In July he was appointed by the Prime Minister as a member of the Legislative Bureau in the Cabinet. In 1912 he was appointed by the Ministry of Finance as a member of the Reorganization Loan Commission. In August he was appointed by the President, Justice of the Supreme Court of China. In 1913 with the consent of the Supreme Court he was specially invited by the Shanghai Defense Commissioner to be a legal adviser on International Law and Foreign Affairs. In recognition of his service he was awarded the Fifth Class Wenhu Decoration. In 1915 and 1916 Dr. Hsu was awarded the Fourth and the Third Class Chia-ho Decorations, respectively. In November he was appointed to act concurrently as a Judge of the High Prize Court. In July 1918 he was appointed as a Member of the Court of Equity. In October he was awarded by the President the 2nd Class Chiaho Decoration. In November he was awarded the 2nd Class Wen-hu. In February 1919 Dr. Hsu was appointed Acting Chief Justice of the High Court of Shansi province. Since 1920, he has been Chief Justice of the High Court of Justice of Shansi. In January 1920, he received the Third Class Paokuang Chiaho.