Who's Who in China (3rd edition)/T'ang Chi-yao

General T'ang Chi-yao

唐機凭学英

General Tang Chi-yao was born at Tung-chuan Hsien, Yunnan province, in 1885. He was a Hsiu-Tsai in the Ching Dynasty and was graduated from the Provincial High College of Yunnan. In November 1909 he entered the Military Cadets' Academy, Japan, and was graduated from the artillery Department in 1910. Upon his return to China, he served in the Army of Fengtien Province. Shortly afterwards he went to Yunnan becoming Staff Officer to the Viceroy of Yunnan-Kueichow and President of the Military Training College. General Tang became a revolutions when he was in Japan where he made acquaintances with the revolutionary leaders. The First Revolution broke out at Wuchang on October 10, 1911. General Ts'ai Ao, Li Lieh-chun and Tang Chi-yao responded to the revolutionary call by declaring independence in Yunnan on October 30. Ts'ai was elected Tutu and Tang became Chief Staff Officer of the Yunnan Military government. In April 1912, at the recommendation of Tsai Ao, President Yuan Shih-kai appointed General T'ang the Tutu of Kueichow Province. In July 1916, President Li Yuan-hung appointed General Tang the Tuchun, new designation of military governor, of Yunnan. In September 1916 he was again ordered to act concurrently a Civil Governor of Yunnan. After one year's quiet administration, another trouble started in which General Tang was seriously involved. In May 1918 the Extraordinary Parliament elected seven directors to administer the Opposition Government and General Tang was one of them. At first these leaders were in concerted action against the north. Soon, quarrels occurred between them. In June 1919 the Kuo Ming Tang elements including General Tiang were ousted by the Kuangsi faction. In December 1919 the Extraordinary Parliament ceased to function on account of military interference by the Kuangsi faction. Then General T’ang invited the parliamentarians to Yunnan, where they assembled in July 1920. In June 1920 General Tiang, in a circular telegram abolished the post of Tuchun of Yunnan and assumed the commandership of Yunnan and Szechuan Allied Forces. In July 1920 he drove out General Hsiung Ke-wu from Chengtu, the capital of Szechuan and assumed the control of that province. In September 1920 General Hsiung Ke-wu, assisted by Liu Tsen-hou came back to Chengtu, drove General T'ang out of Szechuan, and Yunnan was left to itself. In December 1920 the Kuo Ming Tang leaders resumed the control of Kuangtung and General Tang became a Military Director again. During the following year he directed the troops remaining loyal to him 'in operations against the Szechuan leaders. In March 1922 General Tang returned to Yunnan again and since that time he has been in control of that province and also a part of Szechuan province.